The primary objective of this study is to assess Namibia’s prospects for harnessing the demographic dividend and to identify priority options for maximising the dividend. Demographic change has implications for the realisation of these ambitions.

 

The population of Namibia is youthful, with about 37% of the population aged below 15 years, and only about 5% aged 65 years and above, while 58% of the total population is below 25 years. Close to 60% of the population today, is between the ages of 15-64 years, often referred to as the working-age population. This places Namibia within the temporary window period within which to harness the first demographic dividend over the next few decades before the age structure further shifts and becomes dominated by old-age dependency.