Just like it is impossible to have rain without cloud, or to give birth to a baby without being pregnant, hoping to gain demographic bonus which serves as the foundation for demographic dividend without a rich and well structured investment in health, education and family planning is just an empty wish.

Demographic dividend is linked to economic growth and prosperity, and attained by consciously re-structuring the age composition of the country’s populace. This is achieved by putting measures in place to ensure that there is a change in the age distribution of a nation. When this happens, it ensures that there are relatively more adults of workable age in the nation. The advantage of putting measures in place to attain demographic dividend is that it creates more economic opportunities and thus enhances economic and human development.

Research from studies has evidently shown that if a country is to develop socio-economically, there has got to be a demographic transition in addition to investing in education, human capital and public heath. It is this which places the nation onto the path of prosperity.  To achieve this, the level of birth must be monitored and more importantly the death rate must decline.

When fertility and mortality rates declines, it ensures that there is an appreciable number of young people who are educated and equipped to produce wealth long before they become old and dependent. In many poor countries of the world, it has been discovered that over 40% of the population is usually under the age of 15 and are dependent on adults for financial support. Any developing nation with such a large number of young people should note that investing in health and education is of economic importance; otherwise the large number of young people becomes a threat to the nation’s growth and prosperity.

Family planning provides a means to achieving demographic dividend. The two most crucial factors to attain demographic bonus are family planning, and investment in public health and education. With a good education system, young girls will remain in school rather than getting married and pregnant at an early age. I advocate that governments of African nations pass laws preventing the marriage of minors. It is clear that young girls who marry early end up having more children than girls in the same age bracket who attended school.

That aside, they also give birth to more children than they can ordinarily cater for. Early marriage reduces the economic contribution of a woman in her society. To tackle this issue, every female child must be encouraged to attend secondary school. Though primary education is quite important, it has been discovered that the best it does is to train to read and write. When the female child is encouraged to complete her secondary education, it helps her to delay pregnancy and equips her to become a major tool for economic development.

For African nations to harness the advantage that the demographic dividend provides, health care systems must be strengthened. Beyond strengthening the health system, sensitizing the populace through education is a crucial part of the process.

If significant progress is to be recorded in areas that concern sexual and reproductive health, information is key. Men and women must be enlightened, so by their own volition they can plan and properly space childbirth. The government must also see to it that information on family planning and vaccination is made available to all and sundry, both to the educated and to the uneducated people in remote areas. It would be erroneous to assume that the educated ones know it all. There are several cases of educated couples who, due to ignorance and negligence, find themselves in a situation where they have an unwanted pregnancy and ultimately an unwanted baby.

 Giving adequate attention to family planning and vaccination would ensure that babies don’t die as a result of diseases they should have been vaccinated for. When a wide variety of family planning methods are made accessible and available to couples, that, to a great extent, will help to improve maternal and child health and also reduce unintended pregnancies.

Attaining demographic dividend is not an overnight process. It is something you build today and to reap the benefits later. Timing is therefore critical. The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is now! If African nations are to benefit from demographic dividend, the time to invest in health, family planning and education is now. Efforts made towards improving access to family planning will no doubt reduce maternal and infant mortality, which will in-turn reduce the numbers of dependent youths.

P.S  This piece was first published on the African Union Website CARMMA