[Population aging in South-East Asia and policies of old-age support]

"The problem of ageing is generally perceived as being typical of developed countries, as these have in most cases reached the last stage of their demographic transition. On the other hand, a rapid decline of the fertility rate, knowingly associated [with] a quick improvement of socio-economic factors and, often, [with] successful birth-control policies, is causing a sharp increase of the relative amount of elderly people also in some developing countries. This has a dramatic impact on family structures that, in traditional societies, assist the elderly relatives, while the government is usually still unable to provide institutional support. The issue is analysed in the South East Asian context." (SUMMARY IN ENG AND FRE)