Case Study : Demographic Dividend

Demographic dividend:

IB outcomes: 

• The demographic dividend and the ways in which population could be considered a resource when contemplating possible futures

• One case study of a country benefiting from a demographic dividend

• Definition: The demographic dividend is the accelerated economic growth that may result from a decline in a country's birth and death rates and the subsequent change in the age structure of the population (PBR)

• IB definition:  As defined by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) demographic dividend means 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)

  • "While family planning is necessary for establishing the conditions for a demographic dividend, investments in child health, education, and gender equality are critical additional steps that contribute to family planning use and economic growth." (PBR)

Case study: Rwanda's Demographic Dividend (DD)

Readings:

• Why is Africa seeing potential in its Demographic Dividend

• Is Rwanda Set to Reap the Demographic Dividend?

• WEF Case Study on Rwanda's Demographic dividend potential

Take detailed notes of the factors that are making Rwanda optimistic about its DD

• • What government initiatives are taking place to ensure Rwanda's DD occurs?

  • What civil society initiatives are taking place to ensure Rwands's DD occurs?

  • What possible obstacles might happen to hinder Rwanda's DD?