Longevity Economics
According to the United Nations, the number of people above the age of 80 in the world is expected to triple from 143 million in 2019 to 426 million in 2050. In Singapore, 47% of the Singaporean population will be aged 65 and above by 2050. How does this affect the economy and the society-at-large?
Traditionally, population aging is believed to reduce economic growth as it leads to structural shifts in the workforce, rising healthcare expenditure and increasing pension spending. However, is it really fair to measure the elderly’s contributions to the economy solely based on productivity indicators? This panel seeks to challenge the assumption that with age comes reduced economic output. By examining the socio-economic benefits that the elderly can contribute, the panel aims to spark conversations about how the elderly can become an asset to society.
Ms Samantha Tjong and Ms Shermaine Teo Huimin
"Returning to Work - Challenges Faced by Young Stroke Victims"
Samantha and Shermaine are students from the University Scholars Programme. As part of the programme, the duo has embarked on an independent study exploring the challenges faced by young stroke victims in returning to their work and careers.
In the study, the challenges which stroke survivors of working age face in their return-to-work (RTW) journey were mapped out and analysed. The study found that the process was made difficult due to many barriers, such as their physical disabilities, mental well-being, and the stigma surrounding their inability to contribute to society.
In her presentation, the team will explain the role employers and governments play in creating suitable work spaces and funding initiatives to support the community. They argues that any change in attitudes starts from recognising the contributions stroke survivors bring to society.
Dr Ko Pei Chin
"Rethinking Productive Ageing in Asian contexts: Comparisons of China, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea."
Dr Ko Pei-Chun is a lecturer at the Centre for University Core at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. In 2015, she obtained a PH.D. in Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne, Germany. Her research interests include exploring productive aging, intergenerational relationships and healthy aging. Some of her notable works highlight and explore productive aging across Asian societies, like South Korea and China.
In her presentation, Dr Ko will explore the economic and social impacts of population ageing in Asia. When it comes to productive ageing, Dr Ko found that the social value of old age is often neglected. She wishes to articulate the importance of a “non-market” form of productive engagement with our seniors so as to better shape discussions surrounding productive ageing among the young generation.
Ms Chan Hui Hsien
“Active Aging through the doing of shūkatsu in aging Japan”
Hui Hsien is a PhD student at the National University of Singapore. She graduated from NUS with a Bachelor degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Japanese Studies. Prior to returning to NUS in 2018, she managed a language school in Nagoya and she has been teaching elderly Japanese in life-long learning centers since 1995. Her long engagement with elderly Japanese has motivated her to enter the field of ageing. She enjoys wearing kimono, gardening and traveling.
Hui Hsien’s MA thesis focuses on ‘Shūkatsu’, a social phenomenon about how elderly Japanese plan their old age and end-of-life activities. Her study revealed that older Japanese demonstrate agency and practice active aging through shūkatsu as they respond to changing family relationships and sociocultural transformations in aging Japan. The study prompts the re-thinking of the meaning of active aging in relation to shūkatsu as the Japanese strive to maintain independence and autonomy, and live a ‘good old age’ by mitigating future age-related risks and burden on family through shūkatsu.