The Southeast Asian region has experienced some of the highest growth rates in the world, with investments in skills playing a significant role in helping national economies to adjust to changes in working practices, advances in technology, and challenges associated with globalisation. In some countries this process has been more successfully managed and significant advances have been achieved in growth rates and employment levels, but in others it has resulted in stagnation of economic sectors, underemployment, rising unemployment levels and social exclusion for large sections of the society.

This report identifies and discusses employment and skills strategies in Southeast Asia. The report is divided into five sections. Section two, following the introduction, discusses the economic and labour market context. Section three discusses key issues for employment and skills development. Section four discusses policy responses and initiatives; and section five briefly suggests key issues of employment and skills development in Southeast Asia for further discussion and analysis.

DOI: 10.1787/5kmbjglh34r5-en