Asia's aging population doesn't have to be a fiscal burden. With smart planning, it can be a growth opportunity

(Credit: Cheng Xin—Getty Images)

Population aging is one of Asia’s defining social challenges. As people live longer and fertility rates remain low, several Asian economies now face the prospect of a shrinking labor force alongside a rising share of older people.

This problem is primarily viewed through a fiscal lens: Rising healthcare costs and a shrinking workforce put mounting pressure on public finances.