SA fails to cash in on population shifts, report shows
Lacking socioeconomic preconditions and required government policies could mean SA misses out on demographic dividend, Stats SA report shows
SA has been “sadly lacking” in the supporting conditions necessary for a country to maximise the potential benefits of its demographic transition, a Statistics SA report released on Wednesday has concluded. The report — Whither a Demographic Dividend SA: The Overton Window of Political Possibilities — concluded that SA had undergone a demographic transition that had the potential to generate a democratic dividend. However, the necessary socioeconomic preconditions and required government policies had been absent. These conditions included low unemployment, policies that successfully supported economic growth and created jobs; good governance; education and training; and healthcare and family planning. A demographic dividend is the additional economic growth associated with a demographic transition. Its achievement requires a strong economy. The potential for a demographic dividend arises when a country experiences a long-term increase in its working-age ratio, which is the percentag...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.