One case study of a country benefiting from a demographic dividend
Demographic Dividend
The demographic dividend is the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population's age structure, mainly when the dependency ratio is smaller
What population shifts occur?
For a country to achieve a demographic dividend, the fertility rate must drop and the life expectancy must increase, education must also increase
Korea Fertility Rate
1950 5.4 → 1975 2.9 → 2005 1.2
Population policy → aggressive, encouraged contraceptives and promoted two children
Family planning → field workers visited homes and provided information and methods(more effective than clinic-based services), program encouraged acceptance and invisted in providers + information + education + supplies, government set a target of 45% of married couples using these services
Mothers → clubs created, policy implemented in 19,000 villages, people saw that fewer children improved family life
Korea Education
50s and 60s, moved from compulsory primary education to ‘production-oriented education’, 97% of school-aged children were in school by 1990s
Better educated in trade skills → skilled workforce
Korea Economic Changes + Industries
Improved relations with Japan, improved infrastructure, gained manufacturing deals after Vietnam War
Manufacturing (cars, electronics), chemical, iron, steel → Hyundai, Samsung, Kia, LG