This theme chapter of Key Indicators of Developing Asian and Pacific Countries 2002 offers a broad overview of demographic and human resource trends in the Asia and Pacific Region and considers some possible policy implications these developments have for developing countries in the region. Infant and child mortality rates have declined considerably and many millions can look forward to longer and healthier lives. School enrollment and levels of literacy continue to rise, raising the productivity of workers and enhancing the effectiveness of civil society. Success in the region, however, is far from even. Many millions of people live in abject poverty, suffer unacceptably high levels of mortality, and face a future of little hope. One of the region's major challenges is to improve the lives of the many millions who are searching for basic human dignity. And, the changes in population are creating both challenges and opportunities for accelerated social and economic development.

This chapter elaborates on these and other population and human resource issues, drawing heavily on the latest available data provided by the statistical tables of Key Indicators. It focuses on:

• Population, fertility, and mortality

• Population growth

• Urbanization and associated environmental issues

• Labor force, gender, and child labor

• Human resource trends highlighting gender differences

• Macroeconomics and health

• HIV/AIDS epidemic

• Changes in age structure

• Prospects for a demographic dividend

• Implications of population aging

Population and Human Resource Trends and Challenges concludes with a summary of the main challenges facing developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank. This chapter was reprinted with permission from the Asian Development Bank.

This theme chapter of Key Indicators of Developing Asian and Pacific Countries 2002 offers a broad overview of demographic and human resource trends in the Asia and Pacific Region and considers some possible policy implications these developments have for developing countries in the region. Infant and child mortality rates have declined considerably and many millions can look forward to longer and healthier lives. School enrollment and levels of literacy continue to rise, raising the productivity of workers and enhancing the effectiveness of civil society. Success in the region, however, is far from even. Many millions of people live in abject poverty, suffer unacceptably high levels of mortality, and face a future of little hope. One of the region's major challenges is to improve the lives of the many millions who are searching for basic human dignity. And, the changes in population are creating both challenges and opportunities for accelerated social and economic development.

This chapter elaborates on these and other population and human resource issues, drawing heavily on the latest available data provided by the statistical tables of Key Indicators. It focuses on:

• Population, fertility, and mortality

• Population growth

• Urbanization and associated environmental issues

• Labor force, gender, and child labor

• Human resource trends highlighting gender differences

• Macroeconomics and health

• HIV/AIDS epidemic

• Changes in age structure

• Prospects for a demographic dividend

• Implications of population aging

Population and Human Resource Trends and Challenges concludes with a summary of the main challenges facing developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank. This chapter was reprinted with permission from the Asian Development Bank.