Regional Analysis of Youth Demographics

Abstract

This report summarises the findings of research on the socioeconomic implications of youth demographics in 4 East African Community (EAC) countries namely: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The study uses systematic mapping approaches to conduct a review of existing literature and data sources, and to develop a conceptual framework of the pathways through which youth demographics affect access to and demand for basic and critical services including schooling, housing, health care, and jobs. In addition, the research employed modelling techniques including cohort component population projections and the DemDiv model (developed by the United States Agency for International Development funded Health Policy Project implemented by Futures Group) to show, under different scenarios, the short, medium, and long-term implications of youth population dynamics on the countries’ socioeconomic status up to 2050. Finally, the report develops recommendations which bring together evidence from the literature, data review, and the scenario modelling to highlight the policy and implementation implications for each of the four countries and for the region, to benefit from the youth bulge. As well as the research report, there is a briefing note on the East African Community (EAC) countries and 4 country briefing notes on Kenya Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. This work is part of the ‘Strengthening Research Systems for Poverty Reduction in East Africa’ programme