India & Indonesia are emerging markets investors in an aging world

27 May 2024 CW Team

The attention on India and Indonesia is heightened by anticipated increases in infrastructure spending, which is expected to stimulate economic growth in both countries. Recent elections in both nations underscore their aspirations to become major economic players, leveraging their dynamic populations as a primary asset.

While neighbouring countries, including China, grapple with aging populations, India and Indonesia stand out due to their youthful labour forces. This demographic advantage has attracted attention from investors, as demonstrated by the surge in interest in India's stock market following its population milestone surpassing China's.

Fidelity notes that the financial sector stands to gain substantially from the growing credit needs of both corporations and consumers in these burgeoning economies. With projections indicating population growth of at least 10% by 2040, India and Indonesia contrast starkly with China's expected population decline.

The youthfulness of India and Indonesia's working-age populations suggests the potential for higher future earnings growth, according to BlackRock Investment Institute. This demographic dividend, along with other market factors, has contributed to the upward trajectory of both countries' stock markets.

However, realising the full potential of this demographic advantage requires structural reforms to enhance job market flexibility and attract foreign investment. Indonesia's incoming administration aims for ambitious economic growth, while investors monitor India's progress in implementing national-level policy changes at the state level.

For investors considering sovereign debt, metrics such as the age-dependency ratio and fiscal burden are crucial for long-term investment decisions. While developed economies face increasing healthcare and pension costs due to aging populations, emerging markets may experience a more staggered burden, potentially mitigating state funding challenges.

Overall, India and Indonesia present promising opportunities for investors amidst a shifting demographic landscape and on-going structural reforms. (Source: ET)

Emerging markets like India and Indonesia are becoming focal points for investors in an increasingly aging world according to insights from Fidelity International and BlackRock Investment Institute. The robust population growth is helping these two nations are positioned to benefit significantly as demographics play a more significant role in investment strategies. The attention on India and Indonesia is heightened by anticipated increases in infrastructure spending, which is expected to stimulate economic growth in both countries. Recent elections in both nations underscore their aspirations to become major economic players, leveraging their dynamic populations as a primary asset. While neighbouring countries, including China, grapple with aging populations, India and Indonesia stand out due to their youthful labour forces. This demographic advantage has attracted attention from investors, as demonstrated by the surge in interest in India's stock market following its population milestone surpassing China's. Fidelity notes that the financial sector stands to gain substantially from the growing credit needs of both corporations and consumers in these burgeoning economies. With projections indicating population growth of at least 10% by 2040, India and Indonesia contrast starkly with China's expected population decline. The youthfulness of India and Indonesia's working-age populations suggests the potential for higher future earnings growth, according to BlackRock Investment Institute. This demographic dividend, along with other market factors, has contributed to the upward trajectory of both countries' stock markets. However, realising the full potential of this demographic advantage requires structural reforms to enhance job market flexibility and attract foreign investment. Indonesia's incoming administration aims for ambitious economic growth, while investors monitor India's progress in implementing national-level policy changes at the state level. For investors considering sovereign debt, metrics such as the age-dependency ratio and fiscal burden are crucial for long-term investment decisions. While developed economies face increasing healthcare and pension costs due to aging populations, emerging markets may experience a more staggered burden, potentially mitigating state funding challenges. Overall, India and Indonesia present promising opportunities for investors amidst a shifting demographic landscape and on-going structural reforms. (Source: ET)

Infrastructure Urban

11 Mar 2026

India Expands Semiconductor Training To 500 Institutions

Under the Chips to Startups programme of the India Semiconductor Mission, the Union minister responsible for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and IT reported notable progress in talent development. He indicated that over the past four years substantial steps have been taken towards a 10-year target of training 85,000 engineers in semiconductor design. World-class EDA tools have been deployed in 315 academic institutions across the country to provide students with practical exposure to chip design. These EDA tools are supported by leading global firms and are accessible t..

Infrastructure Urban

11 Mar 2026

Delhi Institutions Support India Semiconductor Mission

The Government of India has prioritised talent development through training, upskilling and workforce development under the Chips to Startups initiative of the India Semiconductor Mission, with officials noting progress in four years towards a 10-year target of training 85,000 engineers in semiconductor design. Electronic design automation tools provided by Synopsys, Cadence, Siemens, Renesas, Ansys and AMD have been deployed in 315 academic institutions, enabling students to gain practical chip design experience. Chips have been fabricated and tested at the Semiconductor Laboratory, Mohali, a..

Infrastructure Urban

11 Mar 2026

NHA Announces Winners Of NHCX Hackathon At IIT Hyderabad

The National Health Authority (NHA) has concluded the NHCX Hackathon under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to stimulate innovation around the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX). The winning teams presented their solutions at the NHCX Innovation Meet held at IIT Hyderabad during a two-day event in March 2026 that also served as the hackathon grand finale. The hackathon itself ran from 22 to 28 February 2026 and aimed to accelerate paperless, transparent claims processing across India. The event was organised with a range of ecosystem partners, including the Insurance Regulatory a..