Ageing Labour Markets—Global Trends, Local Realities

Population ageing is reshaping labour markets worldwide, altering patterns of work, retirement, and social protection. Longer lifespans and declining fertility are changing the balance between generations, affecting productivity, fiscal sustainability, and equity. Yet the pace and impact of these changes vary sharply across regions. In Southeast Asia, demographic ageing is unfolding with exceptional speed but diverse institutional capacity. Countries such as Thailand, Singapore, and Viet Nam are approaching aged society status, while Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Indonesia remain comparatively youthful. This uneven transition, combined with high informality, migrant dependence, and limited pension coverage, makes the region a testing ground for managing ageing under developmental constraints. This chapter examines how ageing affects employment, job quality, and income security through three analytical lenses. It explores how informality, health, education, and technology interact to shape late-life work and retirement.