The final report of the national census 2021 shows Nepal has a huge potential for demographic dividend. According to the census report, the country has around 62 percent of the population aged 15-59 years i.e. the working age population.
The working age population has spiked from the last census held in 2011. In 2011, the working age population was 56.96 percent.
As per the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), countries with the greatest demographic opportunity for development are those entering a period in which the working-age population has good health, quality education, decent employment and a lower proportion of young dependents. 'Smaller numbers of children per household generally lead to larger investments per child, more freedom for women to enter the formal workforce and more household savings for old age. When this happens, the national economic payoff can be substantial. This is a demographic dividend.'
Experts underscore that Nepal has huge potential for demographic dividend.
In an interview with The Kathmandu Post in April this year, Professor Yogendra Gurung, head of the Central Department of Population Studies at Tribhuvan University, said having such a large share of the working age population is considered a demographic window of opportunity. "The goal should be to enhance the skills of the population of this age group," he said.
Nepal could enjoy its demographic dividend for next 40-60 years, Gurung added.
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