{"id":63425,"date":"2025-09-14T12:14:50","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T06:44:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=63425"},"modified":"2025-09-16T15:29:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T09:59:05","slug":"missed-demographic-dividend-in-south-asia-youth-unemployment-protests-and-indias-future-potential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/missed-demographic-dividend-in-south-asia-youth-unemployment-protests-and-indias-future-potential\/","title":{"rendered":"Missed Demographic Dividend in South Asia: Youth Unemployment, Protests, and India\u2019s Future Potential"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Demographic Dividend Latest News<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In recent years, youth-led uprisings have erupted across Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Nepal, where economic growth has failed to translate into better opportunities for the young. Instead, corruption and elite prosperity dominate.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nepal\u2019s protests have spotlighted \u201cnepo kids\u201d flaunting luxury lifestyles, fuelling Gen Z anger over inequality.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transparency International\u2019s 2024 corruption rankings placed Nepal at 107, Bangladesh 151, Sri Lanka 121, and Indonesia 99, underscoring widespread governance challenges.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Youth Uprisings and the Missed Demographic Dividend in Asia<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In recent years, youth-led uprisings have shaken Sri Lanka (2022), Bangladesh (2024), Indonesia (2025), and Nepal, driven by frustration over economic growth that has failed to create better opportunities for young people.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite headline growth, the benefits have largely bypassed the labour force entrants, while ruling elites and business classes prospered.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Corruption and Optics of Power<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nepal\u2019s Gen Z protests spotlighted the luxurious lifestyles of political elites\u2019 children, with \u201cnepo kids\u201d trending on social media.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transparency International\u2019s 2024 rankings reflect deep-rooted corruption: Nepal (107), Bangladesh (151), Sri Lanka (121), and Indonesia (99).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leaders\u2019 actions worsened optics \u2014 for instance, Indonesia\u2019s President Prabowo Subianto dismissed respected finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati amid backlash over lawmakers\u2019 extravagant $3,000 housing allowance, nearly 10 times Jakarta\u2019s minimum wage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Economic Growth Without Inclusion<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although these nations witnessed economic expansion, high corruption and weak political continuity prevented inclusive growth.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The youth remain the worst affected, struggling with unemployment and limited opportunities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>A Young Demographic at Risk<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With median ages of Nepal (25), Bangladesh (25.7), Indonesia (30.1), and Sri Lanka (33.1), these countries are among the youngest globally.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yet, instead of reaping a demographic dividend, they face unrest as disillusioned youth demand accountability and equitable growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>The Vanishing Demographic Dividend in Asia<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>demographic dividend arises when a country\u2019s working-age population grows faster than dependents<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, boosting economic potential.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, many Asian economies have failed to harness this advantage. Despite strong growth, millions of new jobs have not materialised, leaving young people underemployed.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Automation has sharply reduced opportunities in traditional sectors such as textiles and auto manufacturing, once the backbone of youth employment.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Asian Development Bank notes that today\u2019s car factories employ only 15% of the workforce needed 25 years ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The World Bank warned in 2023 that South Asia may waste its demographic dividend, as it created only 10 million jobs a year from 2000 to 2023 \u2014 just half of what was needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This shortfall underscores the urgent need for inclusive job creation to ensure the region\u2019s youth can drive growth rather than unrest.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>High Youth Unemployment in South Asia<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Indonesia\u2019s Youth Struggles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; In 2024, Indonesia\u2019s unemployment rate was 4.91%, but for ages 20\u201324 it spiked to 15.34%, showing youth face joblessness at over three times the national average.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Bangladesh\u2019s Jobless Youth<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Bangladesh recorded 3.35% overall unemployment in 2023. However, youth aged 15\u201324 had the highest rate at 8.24%, underscoring the lack of opportunities for the young workforce.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nepal\u2019s Employment Crisis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Nepal\u2019s unemployment rose from 11.4% in 2017\u201318 to 12.6% in 2022\u201323, with underemployment widespread among youth. Limited industrial growth and reliance on remittances highlight weak domestic job creation.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Young Nepalis seek jobs abroad, making remittances nearly a quarter of GDP. Without urgent investment in emerging sectors, Nepal risks losing its demographic dividend.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>India\u2019s Demographic Dividend in the Making<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has shifted from a high fertility-high mortality society to a low fertility-low mortality one, reshaping its age profile and creating the potential for a demographic dividend.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Changing Age Profile<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the 2011 Census, 48% of Indians were in the working-age group (15\u201359 years), 31% were children under 14, and 9% were elderly above 60.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dependency ratio fell from 64% in 2001 to 55% in 2011, indicating fewer dependents per worker.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s <\/span><b>median age is just 28<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it one of the youngest nations globally.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Peak Demographic Dividend<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Economic Survey 2018\u201319 estimates that <\/span><b>India\u2019s demographic dividend will peak around 2041<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, when the working-age population (20\u201359 years) is expected to reach nearly 59%.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UN Population Fund notes India\u2019s demographic window spans five decades (2005\u20132055), longer than any other country.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike China, which saw its demographic dividend peak around 2010, India\u2019s more gradual transition ensures opportunities until 2055, giving it an unparalleled advantage globally.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Source:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/business\/nepal-indonesia-bangladesh-sri-lanka-demographic-dividend-isnt-delivered-10242985\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IE<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/lead\/indias-demographic-dividend-as-a-time-bomb\/article69985845.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TH<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South Asia risks a missed demographic dividend amid youth unrest, unemployment, and corruption, while India\u2019s demographic advantage is still emerging.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":63580,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[2682,60,22,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-63425","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-demographic-dividend","9":"tag-mains-articles","10":"tag-upsc-current-affairs","11":"tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs","12":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63425","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63425"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63425\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63580"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63425"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63425"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}