UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund

Have you ever imagined a world in which  the less developed countries in Africa and Asia registering a rapid economic progress compared to the developed nations?  It is possible, says the State of World Population 2014 report, released by UNFPA. 

The UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, is an arm of  UN Organization. It was formerly known as the United Nations Fund for Population Activities and hence the name UNFPA. It was launched to ensure the right to health and equal opportunity for  every woman, man and child. This is carried out by conducting national and demographic surveys and using the data to chalk out programmes to reduce poverty and address other issues. 

According to the report, 1.8 billion, approximately 25%, of the entire population of the world is in the age group of 10-24 years. If proper and sufficient investment is made in this group, by way of education, health care and generation of employment opportunities, it can push the growth to the higher levels. This will  ensure better GDP growth of respective countries continuously for the next few decades. 89% of this young population, roughly nine out of ten people, lives in less developed countries in Asia and Africa. 

  
A "demographic dividend" is said to be taking place in a country when the working age population of it becomes larger than its elderly and dependant young population and when the favorable age structure is used to propel economic growth. According to the report this may happen in about 60 developing countries.  The presence of this young brigade, if properly utilized will be sufficient to transform the future economic and social progress of these countries. This has the potential to improve the living standards of  hundreds of millions of people by bringing them out of poverty.  

. By John CS