China’s rapidly aging population presents a huge challenge for the country as it needs to find new ways to pay for rising healthcare and social welfare benefits.
And that’s where Africa may be able to help. Home to one of the youngest populations on the planet, young African workers might be able to help resolve the problem of China’s shrinking labor pool.
Dr. Lauren Johnston joins Eric and Cobus to discuss how China’s rapidly aging population will benefit Africa. Johnston just finished a three-year research project at the University of Melbourne and is now a consultant for the World Bank in Beijing. She explains how China’s growing legion of senior citizens is forcing the government to re-orient the entire economy by investing abroad, particularly in developing countries, while building sophisticated technologies at home to help offset the country’s declining birthrate.
Recommendations
- “China’s Failed Baby Boom: Why Beijing Can’t Shake the One-Child Policy,” Michael Smith, Australian Financial Review, April 13, 2018
- “China in Africa: Who Benefits? Aid, Trade and Investment in a Fast-Evolving Sino-Africa Partnership,” Peter Clarke and Lauren Johnston, University of Melbourne’s Pursuit Podcast, April 24, 2017