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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    as

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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/wp2014-053.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pritchett, Lant H. & DEC, 1994. "Desired fertility and the impact of population policies," Policy Research Working Paper Series 1273, The World Bank.
    2. repec:wbk:wbpubs:2300 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Robert M. Solow, 1994. "Perspectives on Growth Theory," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 8(1), pages 45-54, Winter.
    4. repec:wbk:wbpubs:16572 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. repec:wbk:wbpubs:18647 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. repec:wbk:wbpubs:13191 is not listed on IDEAS
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