Rapid demographic change creates an imperative for countries




- Slides: 4
Rapid demographic change creates an imperative for countries to better harness their human capital. • Labor productivity in many LAC countries has languished for years during which growth was supported by favorable ‘tailwinds’. • Countries now faces powerful demographic ‘headwinds’ on growth. • Populations in many LICs and MICs are ‘ageing’ at an unprecedented pace. • The demographic ‘window of opportunity’ to productively engage young people is closing. • In Brazil, the ‘working age’ population will peak in 5 years.
Education systems are falling short of expectations: Poor performance, repetition and dropouts. Repetition rates (lower secondary education) 1 Structural Peers 1, 8 BRICS 2, 8 OECD 5, 9 Regional Peers 16 Brazil 0, 0 5, 0 10, 0 Drop out rates 15, 0 3, 1 BRICS 4, 1 OECD 13 Structural Peers 14 Regional Peers 25 Brazil Source: WBG Brazil Expenditure Review, Education chapter 0, 0 5, 0 10, 0 15, 0 20, 0 25, 0 30, 0
Younger people are more likely to withdraw from the labor force, particularly the lower skilled Change in Labor Force Participation (LFP) in Brazil - 2015 -2003 (p. p. ) Female 65 and older 25 to 54 d ille d Sk ille d sk ille Lo w sk d 55 to 64 Un ille d Sk ille d sk ille Lo w sk Un ille d d Sk ille d sk ille Lo w sk d 19 to 24 Un ille d Sk ille d sk ille Lo w sk d 15 to 18 Un ille d Sk ille d Lo w sk ille d sk Un ille d Sk ille d sk ille Lo w sk d 55 to 64 Un ille d Sk ille d sk ille Lo w sk d 25 to 54 Un ille d Sk ille d sk ille Lo w sk d 19 to 24 Un ille d Sk ille d sk ille Lo w sk d 15 to 18 Un ille d Sk ille sk ille w Lo Un sk -0, 01 d 0, 04 65 and older Male -0, 06 -0, 11 -0, 16 Source: BR Skills and Jobs 2, using PNAD surveys
Policy makers have to look beyond reform of labor market regulation for solutions. • Correlation between dejure ‘rigidity and youth unemployment is weak • More ‘active’ policies and programs have shown favorable results • Intermediation, counseling and coaching are more cost effective than skills training.