If nations want to reap the benefit of what is called the demographic dividend — when economic growth is tied to the change in the age structure of the population — three things are essential: quality education, affordable healthcare and decent work opportunities.
The demographic dividend contributed substantially to the rapid growth of east Asian economies from the 1960s to 1990s, aka the East Asian Miracle.
In Thailand in 1970, World Bank data showed the 15-64 age group accounted for 52 percent of its total population. In 30 years this rose to 70 percent.
