Population pyramids can be used to show change to age structure over time as well as projected changes to age structure in the future. In DRC’s population pyramids, not much change to age structure is anticipated until between 2030 and 2050.
The broad bases of the pyramids “DRC 1970”, “DRC 1990”, “DRC 2010” represent a large number of children in relation to the working age population. Indeed, total fertility has DRC remained high over this 40-year period. Fertility actually rose from 1970 when the average woman had 6.2 children over the course of her life to 7.1 children per woman in 1990. By 2010, total fertility rates dropped slightly back to 6.2 children per woman. “DRC 2030” is the United Nations projection of DRC population age structure if fertility declines at a moderate rate. This pyramid assumes that by 2030, fertility will decline to an average of 4.34 children per woman over the course of her lifetime, which will require significant commitment on the part of DRC government and civil society. In “DRC 2050,” projections show the base of the population pyramid narrowing, representing a lower fertility rate and the age structure of the population beginning to change.
Working Towards a Demographic Dividend in DRC
If DRC makes substantial investments in reproductive health, family planning, and girls’ education, a fertility decline will likely occur, and surviving 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, DRC may be able to experience the rapid economic growth known as a demographic dividend. Organizations working on the topic of a demographic dividend in DRC include:
- The Government of DRC is working to reposition family planning within its development agenda in order to increase family planning availability and uptake.
- University of Kinshasa is beginning to conduct unique research on the topic of a demographic dividend in DRC.
- Advance Family Planning project seeks to strengthen family planning and reproductive health advocacy in DRC.
- Population Reference Bureau is working with partners in DRC to advance discussion of a demographic dividend in DRC.
