Demographic dividend-favorable policy environment in two pre-dividend African nations: review of national policies and prospects for policy amendments in Nigeria and Tanzania
-
Published:2023-06-05
Issue:1
Volume:23
Page:
-
ISSN:1471-2458
-
Container-title:BMC Public Health
-
language:en
-
Short-container-title:BMC Public Health
Author:
Chen Xiaomeng,Prata Menezes Neia,Rusatira Jean Christophe,Cardona Carolina,Odeku Mojisola,Kioko Deanna,Castro Jessica,Ibeawuchi Charity,Lincoln Joel Silas,Ng’wanansabi Deo,Macha Jacob,Msemo Abubakar,Yusuph Nazir,Rimon Jose G.
Abstract
Abstract
Background
In collaboration with local partners, we reviewed 18 national policy documents across two sub-Saharan African countries identified as pre-dividend nations by the World Bank in 2017: Nigeria and Tanzania. Our aim was to assess national policies in pre-dividend countries and to determine whether national strategies were primed to capitalize on changing demographic structures, maximally attain the demographic dividend, and augment socio-economic growth.
Methods
We conducted policy reviews by focusing on five key sectors of the Gates Institute Demographic Dividend Framework: Family Planning, Maternal and Child Health, Education, Women’s Empowerment, and Labor Market. This framework was developed as a tool for countries to apply targeted policies for accelerating the demographic dividend based on their demographic structure. For each component we used a comprehensive list of indicators, defined via a systematic literature review, through which we assessed national policies aimed at maximizing the demographic dividend.
Results
Between the two countries, we observed persistent gaps in policies targeting family planning. Although more comprehensive, policies addressing maternal and child health, education, women’s empowerment, and labor market still lagged in their specificity and measurability. We identified specific policy amendments and alternatives that Nigeria and Tanzania could consider to mitigate these gaps. We also stress the importance of designing measurable policy initiatives across sectors.
Conclusions
Based on these recommendations, as Nigeria, Tanzania, and other pre-dividend nations start experiencing rapid demographic changes, they may consider implementing routine policy reviews to strengthen policies across the five key sectors and harness the benefits of a demographic dividend.
Funder
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
National Institutes of Health
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Reference32 articles.
1. AU Roadmap on harnessing the demographic dividend through investments in youth. Assembly of the Union Twenty-Sixth Ordinary Session 30–31 January 2016, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2017. Retrieved from https://library.au.int/au-roadmap-harnessing-demographic-dividend-through-investments-youth.
2. Bloom DE, Finlay JE. Demographic change and economic growth in Asia. 2009.
3. Bloom DE, Williamson JG. Demographic transitions and economic miracles in emerging Asia. 1998.
4. Cooper RN, Bloom DE, Canning D, Sevilla J. The demographic dividend: a new perspective on the economic consequences of population change. 2003.
5. Eastwood R, Lipton M. Demographic transition in sub-Saharan africa: how big will the economic dividend be? 2011.