United Press International - August 6, 2002

Earlier trends towards declining population growth rates in the Asia-Pacific Region continued between 1995-2000, reflecting rising levels of education, increased female participation in the work force, and greater use of contraceptives, the Asian Development Bank said.

The Asia-Pacific region, excluding Japan, Australia and New Zealand, currently comprises 54 percent of the world's population, but this is expected to fall to 53 percent by 2025 and 51 percent by 2050, according to the report.

China has now 39 percent of the region's population and its lowest population growth rate, while South Asia has 40 percent of the region's population and one of the highest rates of population growth. Countries like the Philippines and Bangladesh remain at the other end of the scale, as they've maintained high birth rates.

The majority of the region's population growth is forecast to come from South Asia, which expects to add 570 million people in India, 200 million in Pakistan, and 130 million in Bangladesh over the next 50 years.

The Key Indicators 2002 report's overall message was encouraging. Population growth is slowing, life expectancy is rising, and infant mortality is dropping, but not all countries are recording equal progress, however.

In the medium term, several countries will reap a demographic bonus associated with increases in the relative share of the economically active population and a decline in the share of economic dependents (i.e., the young and the elderly).

If these larger work forces can be gainfully employed, the ADB said, the bonus can be parlayed into higher growth and government revenues for discretionary spending and investment.

But an ageing populations point to a need for long term healthcare, and new arrangements for old age pensions and social security schemes will have to be made by those government, the report warned.

Other looming demographic challenges are also linked to a sharp rise in urbanization, and the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus in selected countries in the region.

Unofficial estimates for China indicate that up to 120 million people have moved to the cities. A similar pattern can be observed in the industrializing countries of Southeast Asia. Greater urbanization demands accelerated investment in urban infrastructure (housing, transportation, and water and sewerage services), which governments need to address to avoid environmental quality.

The AIDS pandemic is also affecting population trends. The Asia-Pacific region had more than 6.6 million people living with HIV at the end of 2001, including 1.1 million adults and children who were "newly infected" in 2001.

020806
UP020801

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .