Human Dimensions of Asian Security,
Abstract
The Commander; Seventh Fleet asked CNA to assess the security environment of the Asia-Pacific Region (APR) between 1995 and 2010. This research memorandum addresses trends in those demographic, health, social, agricultural, and sustenance issues with potential effects for security throughout the region. The project's final report, The Dynamics of Security in the Asia Pacific Region (CNA Research Memorandum 95172, January 1996), discusses the implications of these trends (and of other trends in the region) for U.S. forces, particularly the Navy. Data presented are for the most recent years or decades, and projections are for the l5 year period 1995-2010 unless otherwise specified. In recent decades, large parts of the Asia-Pacific Region have broken out of the cycle of poverty illiteracy, and rapid population growth to achieve sustained economic growth on a per capita basis. Population will continue to grow in almost all APR countries in the coming 15 years, straining existing systems that supply jobs, food, water; education, health care, and housing. Most APR governments and economies are responding to this challenge well enough to maintain per capita supply of these basic needs. If population growth were slower; living standards would increase further. Where production and availability of critical goods and services are falling behind population growth, discontent and instability are possible. Where population is growing and living standards are rising, the demand for more and higher quality food and other consumption goods escalates. In some cases, nations will turn to foreign suppliers, increasing international competition for resources. For example, in China, potentially arable land of reasonable quality is almost all in use and yields are already high, so food and feed imports are likely to greatly increase.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA307016
Entities
People
- Judith Banister
- Peter Johnson
Organizations
- Center for Naval Analyses