Publication

This working paper argues that when considering the 'youth bulge' in Asian societies in policy deliberations, the absolute numbers of youths should take second place to the more important element of changing social composition among youth. The authors concentrate on the demography and policy focus on youth transition and contrast the changes experienced across Asia with the changing demographic composition of youth in some European societies during their demographic transitions. The authors find that there are two prominent aspects of social change linked to the youth transition: a shift toward later marriage and rising school enrollments.