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The Prospects for an Imminent Demographic Dividend in Africa: The Case for Cautious Optimism

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  • Alaka M. Basu
  • Kaushik Basu

Abstract

This paper looks at the prospects of a demographic dividend in Africa in the near future. While acknowledging that the fertility declines which change population age structures and thus dependency ratios have been slow to begin and often seem to have stalled once they have begun, we nevertheless conclude that there are many underlying features of Africa today which might hasten the process.

Suggested Citation

  • Alaka M. Basu & Kaushik Basu, 2014. "The Prospects for an Imminent Demographic Dividend in Africa: The Case for Cautious Optimism," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2014-053, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2014-053
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Pritchett, Lant H. & DEC, 1994. "Desired fertility and the impact of population policies," Policy Research Working Paper Series 1273, The World Bank.
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