The Demographic Dividend and the Power of Youth: Voices from the Global Diplomacy Lab

The demographic dividend is the name given by Harvard economists David Bloom and David Canning to the boost in economic growth that can result from changes in a country's population age structure. As fertility rates decrease, a country's working-age population grows larger relative to the young dependent population. With more people in the labor force and fewer children to support, a country has a window of opportunity for rapid economic growth if the right social and economic investments and policies are made in health, education, governance, and the economy. Conversely, research shows that resource requirements to support a large population of children and youth can depress the pace of economic growth and prevent needed investments in human capital. The discourse on responding to this population growth frequently excludes the youth. The result can be an apathetic community of young people who withdraw from participation in political and democratic processes.

We have compiled a series of articles that address the issue and highlight solutions from different parts of the world, from members of the Global Diplomacy Lab to external contributors: how they see their work promoting, enhancing and contributing to harvesting the demographic dividend.

What stories can they tell that can educate and inspire readers? In defining "harvesting the demographic dividend", we want to identify ways to increase inclusion, ownership, sustainability and the impact of democracy and together, foster a shared global understanding of the challenge. The essays in the book are couched in language that is accessible, engaging, informative, entertaining, illuminating and inspiring. The book highlights, in particular, exceptional and inspiring stories that share unique perspectives on how work in one's field seeks to, can or has promoted, provided and preserved human dignity.