Growing older Southeast Asia grapples with weak social security nets

TOKYO — Southeast Asia is graying quick, with the share of working-age people within the complete inhabitants seen reversing its uptrend this yr.

Demographic dividends have helped spur the area’s financial progress, however social security nets stay insufficient in lots of international locations. Regardless of early retirement ages, solely 1 / 4 of the general working-age inhabitants — these ages 15 to 64 — have entry to state pensions. With the demographic bonuses working out, many countries have come underneath strain to bolster social security nets to make sure the well-being of the aged.