The Demographic Window of Opportunity and Economic Growth at Sub-National Level in 91 Developing Countries


Date

2022-05

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

Altmetric

Data

Abstract

Data for low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) are used to investigate the effect of the demographic transition on economic growth at sub-national level. We introduce a detailed classification of demographic window phases, determine how these phases are distributed among and within LMICs, and analyze the relationship between the demographic window of opportunity (DWO) and economic growth for 1921 urban and rural areas of sub-national regions within 91 LMICs. Many areas in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East have entered the window, but most of Sub-Saharan Africa is still in the traditional or pre-window phase. Our analyses reveal higher growth rates in areas passing through the DWO. Positive growth effects are particularly strong in rural and more educated regions and in countries with lower levels of corruption. Policy measures aimed at effectively using the DW for achieving growth should combine investments in education and rural development with better governance.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Volume

161 (1)

Pages / Article No.

171 - 189

Publisher

Springer

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

Demographic window; Economic growth; Subnational; Fertility reduction; Developing countries; Governance

Organisational unit

02525 - KOF Konjunkturforschungsstelle / KOF Swiss Economic Institute check_circle
03716 - Sturm, Jan-Egbert / Sturm, Jan-Egbert check_circle

Notes

Funding

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