The countries of Southeast Asia and China share a major demographic advantage: a large and energetic youth population. Nearly 319 million people in ASEAN around half of the region’s population, are under the age of 30[1]. China also has a large youth population, with approximately 400 million people between the ages of 14 and 35, representing about 28 percent of its total population.
This young population has the potential to become a major driver of economic growth and technological innovation. However, despite this potential, many young people in the region face difficulties in finding suitable employment. The rise of the digital economy offers an important opportunity to address this challenge. Increasing cooperation between ASEAN and China in digital technology, infrastructure, and talent development could help create new jobs and strengthen regional economic growth.
