Question

Please research the term – “Demographic Dividend”. What does it mean? Have any countries actually experienced this? Do you think that others will follow? Write about what you find – you just need a couple of examples here, not the full list of countries that have may have realized this dividend. Make sure you address how this concept (of a demographic dividend) relates to any of the stages of demographic transition we’ve discussed in class. And feel free to include age pyramids of countries if you’d like, with proper citation of course.

Answer 1

-->According to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population’s age structure, mainly when the share of the working-age population (15 to 64) is larger than the non-working-age share of the population (14 and younger, and 65 and older). In other words, it is a boost in economic productivity that occurs when there are growing numbers of people in the workforce relative to the number of dependents.

-->Every country passes throgh demographic transition phase.However it depends on countries how well they invested in human capital during this stage to reap the benefits of demography.It becomes dividend only when countries make full use of it,otherwise it leads to "demographic disaster".Realizing a demographic dividend requires multiple investments. The most essential are building the capabilities of people and ensuring their rights and freedoms to achieve their potential. Young people need the chance to gain the education and experience to succeed in a competitive global workplace, which demands more skills, education and technical expertise than ever before.

-->History shows there is a real possibility of countries missing their chance at a dividend. The opportunity to reap a demographic dividend occurs during a finite window that gradually closes as the working generation ages. For example, the late twentieth century saw a demographic dividend in Asia. Gross domestic product increased sevenfold, an economic boom described as the “Asian economic miracle.” However, in Latin America around the same time, growth was only twofold, reflecting unequal access to investments in education and health, including the reproductive health and rights of women and girls.

-->By 2030 ,it is believed than many developed countires reaches to ageing phase,with only few countries having more working age population (example INDIA ).