Use + Remix

population

Key advantages of long-read sequencing make it the technology of choice for many new scientific projects. : DNA sequence by ssalonso is available at https://bit.ly/3YaOmDL CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Cost, availability and sample preservation are the main concerns but progress is rapid.

Gene screen

The race to improve DNA sequencing

Cost, availability and sample preservation are the main concerns but progress is rapid.

Economy
Kolkata has spread so far from its original boundaries and chewed up so much surrounding land the only solution is high-rise. : Biswarup Ganguly CC3.0

Colonial planning was about attracting people to Kolkata, post-colonial planning is more about crisis management.

Cities after colonialism

Sprawling Kolkata’s tall order for a sustainable future

Colonial planning was about attracting people to Kolkata, post-colonial planning is more about crisis management.

Economy
Over the last decade in South Africa, national and local governments have realised the importance of the informal economy as it offers significant job opportunities. : Steven dosRemedios (Flickr) CC BY-ND 2.0

The pros and cons of the informal economy and how migrant business spaces are initiated and expanded.

Cities after colonialism

How migrant entrepreneurs find their way in South Africa

The pros and cons of the informal economy and how migrant business spaces are initiated and expanded.

Economy
The Majara tourism development in Hormuz has been heavily criticised. : Shaqayeq Partow Photo supplied by the author

Despite its aesthetic appeal, the Iranian resort Majara is poised to be a sore point among local residents.

Cities after colonialism

How not to build a tourism city

Economy
Internal migrant workers can help Indonesia benefit from the demographic dividend. : The roads travelled for work – Women Migrant Workers in Singapore and Malaysia by Staton Winter available at https://bit.ly/3EvDPw6 CC BY 2.0

Population growth isn’t automatically good for Indonesia. Developing young people, and helping them to move are both key to economic development.

Riding the age wave

Mobile Indonesians powering the economy

Labour
Indonesia’s population diversity makes for big differences in the economy across its provinces. : ‘Arabic Quarter – Surabaya’ by Axel Drainville is available at https://bit.ly/3EEBFup CC BY 2.0

A difficult road lies ahead for Indonesia. Faced with a rare opportunity to turbo-charge economic growth, it has major problems yet to solve.

Riding the age wave

Indonesia at risk of missing golden economic opportunity

Labour
As populations evolve, many people end up with the double burden of caring for children and parents. : ‘Patience’ by Budi Nuryirwan available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/bukrie/14561469378/ CC BY 2.0

Sandwiched between the aged and the youth, with a societal expectation to care for both, millions of Indonesians are struggling.

Riding the age wave

Sandwich generation must also save for themselves

Labour
By 2100, 100 Chinese workers may be supporting 120 retired people. : vhines200 (Flickr) CC 2.0

China’s economic and family planning policies of the 1970s ushered in a ‘golden age’ of growth. But as China ages, keeping it golden will be a challenge.

Riding the age wave

China’s older people risk curtailing the prosperity they created

Society
With a the highest ever number of young people, the world is on the cusp of a ‘demographic dividend’ opportunity : Michael Joiner & James Goldie, 360info CC BY 4.0

To make the most of the global wave of young people, young nations will have to learn from surfers and paddle hard.

6 perspectives
Special Report

Riding the age wave

Society