Harnessing Zambia’s demographic dividend

Mary Otieno, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Chinwe Ogbonna, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Sibeso Mululuma, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Charles Banda, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Susan Kamuti, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Pamela Kauseni, Ministry of Finance, Zambia
Eliya M. Zulu, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)
Bernard O. Onyango, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)
Eunice M. Williams, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)

The Demographic Dividend (DD) is the economic benefit that arises from significant increase in the ratio of working-aged adults relative to young dependents resulting from rapid fertility decline, informed by robust family planning programmes and accompanied by sustained investments in comprehensive education, skill development, health, job creation and improved governance. The Zambia DD study used the DemDiv model and reviewed a number of economic and demographic variables sourced from national and external databases to inform its findings and recommended policy options. The Study also generated four scenarios that depict the impact that can be realized through ranges of investments in family planning, quality and comprehensive education, quality and equitable health care, decent job creation, robust and equitable economic policies, governance and accountability. These investments need to be made within the time limited window if Zambia is to harness its Demographic Dividend.