13/06/2025
PMRC Article - Harnessing Zambia’s Demographic Dividend- Unlocking the Power of a Young Population for Sustainable Development
By Leya Namonje Tembo, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation - PMRC
Zambia boasts a youthful and rapidly growing population, with about two-thirds of its population under the age of 25 and a median age of about 17 years. This entails that half of the Zambian population is younger, whereas the other half is older than 17 years. This demographic trend presents both a significant challenge and an incredible opportunity. If effectively harnessed, Zambia’s youthful population can serve as a catalyst for economic growth and development, a phenomenon known as the demographic dividend.
Demographic dividend, as defined by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population’s age structure, mainly when the share of the working-age population (15 to 64) is larger than the non-working-age share of the population (14 and younger, and 65 and older). In other words, it is a rise in economic productivity that occurs when there are growing numbers of people in the workforce relative to the number of dependents. This change can accelerate economic growth through increased productivity of the relatively big labour force if the economy generates adequate decent jobs for them.
It is important to understand that the demographic dividend is neither automatic nor guaranteed; therefore, countries must earn it by implementing policies and strategies that accelerate fertility decline as well as ensure that the larger labour force is well educated, skilled, healthy, and economically engaged. For Zambia, this window of opportunity is both urgent and promising as the country’s population is projected to double by 2050, with the working-age group expanding significantly.
To capitalise on this, the Government in the 2019 National Population Policy highlights the need to harness the country’s demographic dividends as one of the measures that will be implemented to achieve the objectives of the Policy. The measures highlighted in the policy are timely as they aim to turn the country’s youthful population into a catalyst for economic growth, focusing on human development. A well educated and skillful workforce is fundamental to harnessing a country’s demographic dividends. Zambia has made significant strides in expanding access to primary education; however, challenges such as hidden costs, long distances, gender disparities, and poor quality stemming from overcrowded classrooms and insufficient infrastructure still impede optimal outcomes. To address these issues, the Government has introduced and is implementing various reforms and initiatives, including curriculum updates that emphasise Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics(STEM) and vocational skills, enhancements in teacher support, and investments in school infrastructure to improve quality and inclusivity.
The education sector has also benefited from support by the World Bank through projects like the Zambia Education Enhancement Project (ZEEP), which is constructing secondary schools in rural areas, and the Zambia Enhancing Early Learning Project (ZEEL), focused on early childhood education. Expanding school infrastructure, providing access to clean water and sanitation, and other measures can strengthen the education system, equipping Zambia’s youth with the relevant skills necessary for harnessing the country’s demographic dividend, thereby driving economic growth, reducing poverty, and positioning Zambia for sustainable development.
A healthy population is also essential for productivity. In this regard, Zambia has made progress in reducing child mortality and improving maternal health, but challenges persist, notably in combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other communicable diseases. Addressing health issues improves life expectancy and reduces the burden of disease, enabling young people to reach their full potential. Additionally, promoting reproductive health and family planning allows for a decline in fertility rates, ensuring that population growth aligns with economic capacity and service provision. Investing in healthcare infrastructure, the recruitment of health workers, and ensuring access to quality health services are critical components of a demographic dividend strategy.
One of the biggest hurdles Zambia faces is youth unemployment. An expanding young population demands job creation in diverse sectors. Dependence on traditional sectors like mining and agriculture is insufficient; the country must diversify its economy to include manufacturing, services, tourism, and technology. Supporting entrepreneurship, such as access to finance, mentorship, and business development services, can empower young entrepreneurs to innovate and create jobs. Encouraging small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can also stimulate economic activity and reduce unemployment.
In conclusion, Zambia’s youthful and rapidly growing population presents a unique opportunity to accelerate economic development through the strategic harnessing of its demographic dividend. Realising this potential requires effective implementation of policies that focus on improving education, healthcare, and economic diversification. By investing in human capital, ensuring access to quality education, health services, and reproductive health, alongside fostering job creation and economic innovation, Zambia can transform its demographic advantage into sustainable growth.
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