IB Geography Demographic Dividend

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