The broad bases in both “Côte d’Ivoire 1970” and “Côte d’Ivoire 1990” represent a large number of children in relation to the working age population. “Côte d’Ivoire 2010” shows a base that is beginning to narrow at the youngest ages, representing the early stages of a fertility decline. “Côte d’Ivoire 2030” is the United Nations projection of Côte d’Ivoire’s population age structure if fertility continues to decline. This pyramid assumes that by 2030, fertility will decline to an average of 4.1 children per woman over the course of her lifetime. “Côte d’Ivoire 2050” shows a further decline in fertility and ongoing changes to the age structure. This pyramid shows a larger working age population than currently exists compared to the number of dependent children and elders.
Working Towards a Demographic Dividend in Côte d’Ivoire
If Côte d’Ivoire makes significant investments in reproductive health and family planning, fertility levels may begin to decline more rapidly, and children will be more likely to achieve better basic levels of health. With additional investments in health and education and economic initiatives to facilitate job creation, Côte d’Ivoire may be able to experience the rapid economic growth known as a demographic dividend. Known work on the demographic dividend in Côte d’Ivoire includes the following:
- The Sahel Women Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Project will be implemented in Côte d’Ivoire. This project is a partnership and joint response by the United Nations and the World Bank Group to a request from the Presidents of six countries of the Sahel -Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad.
- An informative book is available that explores how Côte d’Ivoire can realize a demographic dividend. This research was funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and completed by Dr. Jean-Pierre Guengant.
