Interesting times – the challenges of China’s demographic deficit

Abstract

China’s recent economic growth and global expansion have been analysed and discussed from many different perspectives over the last decade. However, the positive aspects of its growth have concealed several crucial demographic and labour market characteristics which threaten to derail its future prosperity. Thus, whilst economic growth has stimulated labour demand, the future supply of skilled labour is seriously threatened by the confluence of four key factors – namely, a rapidly ageing workforce, declining fertility levels, the adverse impacts of the one-child policy, and a flawed education system. Consequently, this paper illustrates the implications of these challenges, analyses their antecedents and consequences, and provides a series of remedial recommendations for government, industry and future researchers.

Keywords:

• ageing workforce
• China
• fertility
• higher education
• one-child policy
• vocational education

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alan Nankervis

Alan Nankervis is Professor of HRM in the School of Management, Curtin University. His current research interests include comparative Asian HRM, skills shortages in the Asia-Pacific region, demographic changes and graduate employability challenges.

Verma Prikshat

Prikshat Verma is Lecturer of Management/Human Resource Management at Australian Institute of Business, Adelaide. His major areas of interest are in Human Resource Competency Frameworks, skill shortages and employability challenges in Asia-Pacific region.