This book examines potential economic opportunities that countries can experience when
fertility rates fall and the average life expectancy of the working age population increases.
It presents detailed demographic and economic analysis of middle-income countries throughout
the world in order to show how these countries can take advantage of this demographic bonus.
The book first traces the common link between policies that contribute to fertility transition
as well as create the right kind of environment for reaping the benefit of demographic
dividend. Next it explores different countries and regions who are at different levels of
development. It assesses the long term impact of gender equality on economic growth and
development in Latin America describes the life-cycle saving patterns of Mexican households
and examines demographic determinants of economic growth in BRICS. The book also offers
demographic and economic analysis of the Mediterranean area Sub-Saharan Africa and New
Zealand. The comparison between the different territorial contexts allow for the identification
of three typologies of demographic dividend: the first dividend when the working population
grows faster than total population the second dividend as active generations get older and
invest their savings in the production system of their country and the third dividend based
on the coexistence of two populations age structure strongly contrasting. Overall this book
argues for the need to capitalize on the opportunities that come from the demographic dividend
by investing heavily in education programs training programs for the population working age
health programs the creation of health insurance systems as well as programs to reduce or
increase fertility levels.
