Ethiopia has a lot going for it, including a large youth population – over 70% of the country’s population is under 30 years of age.
By Sosina Bezu (The Conversation) |
Ethiopia’s youth has come under the spotlight recently for their role in a political protest that is seen to be threatening stability. But Ethiopia’s youth bulge doesn’t need to be a political problem. It can be converted to an economic muscle.
Over the past 12 years Ethiopia has been lauded as one of the fastest growing economies in the world with average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 10.8%. It has also seen a significant decline in poverty. In 2004 it had a poverty rate of 39% which had fallen to 23% by 2015.
But there’s a cloud hanging over the country. In 2016 it was hit by a drought that affected 10 million people. And a new drought has emerged again this year.
2016 also saw an outbreak of political protest. Although things are relatively calmer now, the state of emergency that was declared in October 2016 has been extended.
But Ethiopia still has a lot going for it, including a large youth population – over 70% of the country’s population is under 30 years of age. This could be turned to a massive advantage if backed by appropriate policies.
Ethiopia’s demographic profile mirrors China’s in the 1980s and of East Asian countries in the 1950s. The spectacular economic growth in East Asia in the second half of the 20th century is partly attributed to the demographic transition that supplied the economies with a young work force. The key to reaping this demographic dividend is, of course, that there are jobs for those joining the labor force.
Read the complete story at The Conversation
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See also:
- The Ethio-China Investment Cooperation Forum in Addis Ababa
- Youth Revolving Fund: Ethiopia’s New Initiative to Employ Disaffected Youth
- Youth Revolving Fund: A New Commitment to Transform Youths’ Livelihood
- VIDEO: Friendship Agroindustry Becomes the Second-biggest Chicken Supplier in Addis Ababa
- World Bank’s Global Outlook Considers Ethiopia as the World’s Second Fastest-growing Economy
I am very.impressed by Ethiopia’s 70% plus youth population under 30 years old and the second fastest growth rate in GDP! These factors point to a pathway to greater heights in economic growth,technology, living standards,and political stability.The drought of 2015-16
seriously impacted the lives of its population,but has waned for 2017.