Population problems in Austronesia

The large islands and archipelagos fanning out from the Southeast corner of Asia can be seen to constitute a region wherein socio-economic, cultural and political differences provide ample bases for disputation. In seeking areas of potential common ground for cooperation this paper examines the population problems faced by the nations of the region. Analysis is based on recently released population projections from the United Nations Population Division. There are great differences among the countries, to be sure: differences in scale, in relative economic dependency burdens, and particularly in current trends in fertility and mortality. Even these can be seen as fruitful topics for collaboration, particularly if attention is focused on the state or provincial rather than national level. There are nonetheless important areas of commonality: all nations are facing the problem of raising levels of schooling in line with parents' aspirations and economic needs, all face problems of caring for a rising proportion of aged, and all have difficulties with the monitoring and control of international migration. Also, since minority groups in many countries are majority polities in neighbouring states, there is potential for establishing international dialogues aimed at relieving internal tensions. Australia, as the largest donor in the region, has a unique opportunity to take the lead in promoting constructive contacts in Austronesia to address these and other population policy issues.