Small nations with ageing populations lead digital economies

Small nations with ageing populations lead in the digital economy


A recent study by Dr Amanda Lynn, PhD, on the digital economy in New Zealand found that small nations with ageing populations make leading digital nations. Lynn recommends implementing a population development strategy for New Zealand that makes sure all Kiwi workers are given a fair go in the digital economy.

Lynn analysed international and local perspectives on New Zealand’s digital economy to get a better understanding of the emerging issues New Zealanders need to be informed about as the digital economy develops and new technologies emerge.

The study, released last week, separates critical issues that need action now, and emerging issues that must be investigated and debated so that New Zealand can be prepared for positive change.

Lynn found that nations that have smaller, ageing populations are leading digital economy development due to their smart, mature populations and the agility of their political and institutional systems.

“Although mature populations show great results in digital development, we have a cultural mind-set that discounts a mature workforce. This must stop. We are wasting the talents of our people, and we cannot afford to do that. Being over 40 or over 50 doesn’t mean you can’t fully participate.

In the second half of a person’s life, we capitalise on all the investment we made in honing their learning skills in the first half. Age is not a barrier to participating in the digital economy; unless we collectively decide that it is through workforce discrimination. In the digital economy, older workers don’t have to move over for the young; they can work side by side and, through that diversity, we all gain.”

The study showed that both sexism and ageism need to be investigated to understand their impacts on the development of the digital economy. Underutilising and underpaying skilled women, minorities and older workers is holding New Zealand back.

“Routine jobs are vulnerable to automation. If women, minorities and older workers are pushed into low paying, routine jobs—despite their capabilities—the digital divide will widen. There is no need for that to happen. My analysis shows that these people are capable of making an equally valuable contribution in a world leading digital economy.”

Lynn also found that New Zealand must focus on the resilience of the digital economy, and not just GDP growth, to ensure NZ doesn’t face a future “digital recession”.

“Resilience is everything from creating transferrable skills, understanding our innovation strengths, being conscious about the sustainability of population growth, developing our human capital, making sure we understand our competitive advantages in the digital economy, planning for sustainable energy supplies and making sure we use digital technologies to understand, regenerate and protect our natural resources; including our people.”




EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR

Dr Amanda Lynn, PhD is an (applied) Economic and Social Anthropologist. Her work includes organisational, industry, regional and national economic and social development.
Dr Lynn is the Managing Director of Mandolin Associates, a boutique outsourcing consultancy. A former CEO of BERL Economics, and executive at Victoria University School of Government, Dr Lynn is currently Chair of the Innovation Partnership Forum on the Digital Economy.
Dr Lynn has been engaged in policy and economic development since 2006 and is a former Top Exporter and Brand-New Zealand leader in advanced manufacturing of intelligent technologies.

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