09-Dec-15 Many countries in East Asia now have to worry about losing as much as 15% of their working-age population by 2040, according to the World Bank. It said aging population and low fertility rates are to blame. Policies such as encouraging women to work, reforming pension schemes and shifting focus from hospital care to primary care are being recommended. [image: Zhang Peng / LightRocket / Getty Images]

25-Nov-15 In Oct-15 China changed its One Child Policy to allow all married couples to have two children. What are the implications? Births are expected to lift dramatically from 16.3 mn in 2015 to 19.6 mn in 2016, benefiting companies targeting the baby/child market. However there will be little impact on overall population or the labour force, and no significant increase in GDP before 2035. [image: Time]

03-Nov-15 The Communist Party of China has vowed to build a "healthy China" with a better health system and balancing the population through the two-child policy. In a proposal for the 13th five-year plan (2016-2020), the CPC called for an efficient basic healthcare system in both urban and rural areas and modern management of hospitals. [image: Xinhua Finance Agency]

19-Oct-15 Korea's "Third Basic Plan on Low Fertility and Aging Society” is intended to raise the country’s fertility rate from 1.2 to 1.5 by 2020. The plan includes housing assistance measures for the younger generation and the newly married. Medical expenses relating to pregnancy are to be reduced, and medical procedures for fertility are to be covered by national health insurance. [image: Business Korea]

22-Oct-15 Although growth in emerging markets is slowing, Abbott CEO Miles White remains upbeat about the prospects in countries like China. During 3Q 2015, Abbott saw revenue in emerging markets soar 21%. “Policies focused on expanding access to care and favorable trends, including increasing birth rates, aging populations, and adoption of Western standards and technologies, are all driving growth,” said White. [image: MD + DI].