Population pyramids can be used to show change to age structure over time as well as projected changes to age structure in the future. Looking at Niger’s population pyramids, no remarkable change to age structure is anticipated until between 2030 and 2050.
The broad bases of the pyramids “Niger 1970”, “Niger 1990”, “Niger 2010”, represent a large number of children in relation to the working age population. Indeed, total fertility in Niger has remained high over the last four decades. Fertility actually slightly rose from 1970 when the average woman had 7.3 children over the course of her life to 7.7 children per woman in 1990. By 2010, total fertility rates dropped mildly to 7.6 children per woman and remained around that number since then. “Niger 2030” is the United Nations projection of Niger population age structure if fertility declines at a moderate rate. This pyramid assumes that by 2030, fertility will decline to an average of 6.7 children per woman over the course of her lifetime, which will require significant commitment on the part of Niger government and civil society. In “Niger 2050,” projections show the base of the population pyramid narrowing, representing a lower fertility rate estimated at 4.9 children per woman and the age structure of the population beginning to change.
Working Towards a Demographic Dividend in Niger
If Niger makes substantial investments in reproductive health, family planning, and girls’ education, a fertility decline will likely occur, 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, Niger may be able to experience the rapid economic growth known as a demographic dividend. However, this will need substantial efforts and investment because the population of Niger between 0-14 years of age will remain close to half of the population for the next few decades. Among these efforts, the role of regional networks and collaborations will contribute in addressing challenges that are unique to the Sahel region.
