Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population)



Countries By Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population)



Key points



Official Definition of Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population)

Age dependency ratio, young, is the ratio of younger dependents--people younger than 15--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.



Importance

The Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) is a crucial macroeconomic statistic for a country as it reflects the proportion of younger dependents (those below 15 years old) to the working-age population (individuals aged 15-64).

A low value of the Age dependency ratio, young indicates a smaller percentage of young dependents relative to the working-age population. This can be beneficial for a country as it suggests a smaller economic burden in terms of providing services and support for the younger population. A lower ratio typically signifies a larger workforce relative to the dependent population, which can potentially lead to increased productivity, higher savings, and overall economic growth.

Conversely, a high value of the Age dependency ratio, young implies a larger proportion of young dependents compared to the working-age population. This can pose challenges for a country as it may strain resources and social welfare systems. A higher ratio often means a smaller workforce supporting a larger number of dependents, potentially leading to economic challenges such as reduced savings, increased dependency on social benefits, and slower economic growth.



Top 10 Countries by Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population)

Bottom 10 Countries by Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population)



Regions

Europe

The age dependency ratio, young, varies among the listed countries with Ireland having the highest ratio at 30.91% and Andorra with the lowest at 18.40%. Countries with higher ratios like Iceland, Montenegro, and Sweden may face challenges in supporting their younger population while maintaining economic growth. Conversely, countries with lower ratios like Andorra and Italy might experience a relative advantage in terms of workforce productivity. This statistic indicates the potential strain on social welfare systems or labor shortages in countries with higher ratios, influencing policy decisions on education, healthcare, and pension systems.

Far East: East Asia, SE Asia, Australia

Australia, with an age dependency ratio of 28.43%, and Japan, with 20.37%, have relatively lower proportions of young dependents compared to others like Papua New Guinea at 56.27% and Laos at 48.76%. Lower ratios like those in Japan may indicate a more sustainable demographic structure with potentially fewer youth-related economic burdens but could also signal an aging population issue. On the contrary, high ratios in countries like Laos might suggest higher youth support needs but also a potential demographic dividend for economic growth if properly harnessed through education and healthcare investments. This statistic is crucial for workforce planning, social welfare, and economic policies in these countries.

ASEAN

When analyzing the age dependency ratio (young) among the selected countries, we see a range of values indicating the proportion of younger dependents to the working-age population. Laos and the Philippines have the highest ratios at 48.76% and 48.47% respectively, suggesting a potentially heavier economic burden in supporting their younger populations. On the other hand, Singapore stands out with the lowest ratio at 16.27%, indicating a smaller dependent population relative to the working-age group. While high dependency ratios can strain resources and social services, countries with lower ratios like Singapore may benefit from a potentially more productive workforce. This statistic can impact a country's development by influencing workforce dynamics, education policies, and social welfare programs.

Latin America

When examining the age dependency ratio of younger individuals to the working-age population among the listed countries, we find that Guatemala has the highest ratio at 54.29%, followed by Bolivia and Honduras. These countries may face challenges in providing adequate resources and services for their youthful populations, impacting their development prospects. In contrast, countries like Cuba and Chile have lower ratios, indicating potentially more resources available for investment in economic growth and infrastructure. The age dependency ratio can influence labor markets, healthcare systems, and overall economic stability, highlighting the need for tailored policies to address the unique demographic dynamics in each country.

Middle East

The age dependency ratio, young, varies across the listed countries, with State of Palestine and Yemen having the highest percentages at 69.15% and 70.39% respectively, indicating a higher proportion of young dependents relative to the working-age population. Countries like Qatar and United Arab Emirates, on the other hand, have lower ratios at 18.41% and 17.91% suggesting a smaller burden of young dependents. High dependency ratios can strain social services and healthcare systems, potentially hindering development. However, a younger population can also indicate future workforce growth and economic potential. Conversely, lower ratios may imply an aging population with implications for pension systems and economic productivity.



Rivals

Anglosphere v BRICS

The age dependency ratio, young, varies among the selected countries with India having the highest ratio at 38.85% and Canada the lowest at 24.00%. South Africa follows with a ratio of 44.04%, indicating a higher proportion of younger dependents relative to the working-age population. This high ratio in South Africa may strain social services and economic resources. In contrast, Canada's lower ratio suggests a potentially more economically productive workforce. India, while having a high ratio, also signifies a large youth population that can be a demographic dividend if effectively harnessed for economic growth. Overall, the age dependency ratio, young, reflects the demographic challenges and opportunities each country faces in terms of development and resource allocation.

Russia v Ukraine

For the Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population), the Russian Federation has a value of 26.38%, while Ukraine has a ratio of 22.71%. This indicates that the Russian Federation has a higher proportion of younger dependents compared to the working-age population than Ukraine. The higher dependency ratio in Russia could lead to increased pressure on the working-age population to support and provide for the younger dependents, potentially impacting the country's economic development. On the other hand, Ukraine's lower ratio suggests a slightly lower burden on the working-age population but could also indicate a smaller base of young individuals for future workforce development, posing challenges for long-term growth.

France v United Kingdom

France has an Age dependency ratio, young, of 28.57% while the United Kingdom stands at 28.02%. This indicates that both countries have a similar proportion of young dependents relative to the working-age population. In terms of advantages, a lower ratio suggests a potentially lower burden on the working-age population to support dependents. However, a higher ratio could indicate a larger pool of young labor for future economic productivity. For France, a slightly higher ratio may imply greater investment needed in social welfare and education programs. On the other hand, the United Kingdom might benefit from a more youthful demographic dividend to drive innovation and economic growth.

Israel v Iran

Iran has an age dependency ratio, young, of 34.82%, indicating a lower proportion of younger dependents compared to working-age individuals. In contrast, Israel has a higher ratio at 47.10%, signifying a larger burden of younger dependents on the working-age population. Iran's lower ratio may offer advantages such as a potentially more economically active workforce, but it could also indicate challenges in providing sufficient support for the youth population. On the other hand, Israel's higher ratio may pose challenges in terms of supporting dependents, but it also reflects potentially higher fertility rates. These ratios can impact the countries' development by influencing workforce dynamics, social welfare programs, and future demographic trends.

Saudi Arabia v Iran

Iran has an Age dependency ratio, young, of 34.82%, indicating a relatively lower proportion of young dependents compared to the working-age population. In contrast, Saudi Arabia has a higher ratio at 36.39%, suggesting a slightly larger burden of young dependents. Iran's lower ratio may signify a potential advantage in terms of a larger workforce contributing to economic growth, while Saudi Arabia might face challenges in providing for a larger young population. This statistic's impact on development could mean different resource allocation priorities for each country, with Iran potentially focusing more on economic expansion, and Saudi Arabia on social welfare and education initiatives.

India v Pakistan

India has an age dependency ratio of 38.85%, indicating a relatively lower proportion of young dependents to the working-age population. In contrast, Pakistan has a higher ratio of 63.66%, suggesting a larger burden of young dependents. This statistic reflects that India potentially has a demographic dividend due to a higher proportion of working-age individuals, offering economic advantages such as greater productivity and potential for economic growth. However, a lower dependency ratio may also lead to challenges in providing sufficient social welfare for the elderly. On the other hand, Pakistan's higher dependency ratio may strain resources but can also indicate a future potential labor force increase. Managing this ratio effectively is crucial for both countries to ensure sustainable development and address social welfare needs.

Turkey v Greece

In terms of the age dependency ratio, young, Greece has a lower ratio at 22.28% compared to Turkey's higher ratio of 34.81%. This indicates that Greece has a smaller proportion of younger dependents relative to its working-age population than Turkey. For Greece, this lower ratio may mean a smaller burden on the working-age population to support dependents, potentially leading to more resources available for economic development. However, it could also suggest a declining youth population, which may impact future labor force availability. In contrast, Turkey's higher ratio implies a larger dependent population, which could strain resources but also indicate a larger pool of future labor. Overall, these ratios reflect varying demographic dynamics that can influence each country's economic and social development strategies.

China v Japan

In terms of age dependency ratio (young), China, People's Republic of has a ratio of 25.98% while Japan's ratio stands at 20.37%. This indicates that China has a higher proportion of young dependents relative to the working-age population compared to Japan. For China, a higher ratio suggests a potentially larger burden on the working-age population to support the young dependents, impacting economic productivity and development. On the other hand, Japan's lower ratio may indicate a more balanced demographic structure with potential advantages in terms of workforce stability but could pose challenges in terms of future labor shortages and pension obligations.



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