Thinking on age structural transition in Southern Africa: short and long term consequences

Nader Motie Haghshenas, Population Studies and Research Center in Asia and the Pacific
Behnoush Bahrami, Independent Researcher
Shiva Naderi Delpak, Independent Researcher

Since mid-1980s, most developing countries have shown promising signs of fertility decline and the potential consequences of the changes in age structure have received growing recognition by demographers, economists and policy makers.It has become clear that following fertility decline a period of demographic change will be ushered in during which the number and relative size of the young,working age population will surpass that of children (ages 0-14)and the elderly (ages 65+).This period will present developing countries and Africa continent as well with a unique opportunity to invest in human capital formation,improve the quality of their labour force and stimulate economic growth.The aim of this paper is to review the unfolding picture of age-structural transition in Southern Africa in during 2000-2050 and to explore its policy implications. Data used in this analysis is mostly taken from the United Nations Population Division, World Population Prospects(UN,2008 Revised).