“If birth rates in Africa decline rapidly, as it has been the case in other regions, the age structure will change to one dominated by more young people of working age. Coupled with the positive economic outlook for the continent, the change in the age structure will provide enormous potential for economic growth and
structural transformation if African countries make the right investments in human and social capital for youth development. These potential gains can be realized through a demographic dividend, which refers to the accelerated economic growth that countries can harness as a result of the change in age structure
following demographic transition. Due to reduced child dependency burden and costs of child services, savings increase and resources are freed for greater per capita spending on quality health and education
services for capital formation to spur further economic development”
