question_answer

Read the passage given below and answer following questions:

Data from the National Sample Survey studies of 1999-2000 and from the 2001 Census of India reveal a sharp fall in the rate of employment generation (creation of new jobs) across both rural and urban areas. This is true for the young as well. The rate of growth of employment in the 15-30 age group, which stood at around 2.4 per cent a year between 1987 and 1994 for both rural and urban men, fell to 0.7 for rural men and 0.3 per cent for urban men during 1994 to 2004. This suggests that the advantage offered by a young labour force is not being exploited.

Strategies exist to exploit the demographic window of opportunity that India has today. But Indians recent experience suggests that market forces by themselves do not ensure that such strategies would be implemented. Unless a way forward is found, we may miss out on the potential benefit that the country?s changing age structure temporarily offers.

(a) What is demographic dividend?

(b) Do you think that India is indeed facing a window of opportunity created by demographic dividend?

 

Answer:

(a) Demographic dividend refers to the period usually 20 to 30 years. When fertility rates fall due to significant reductions in child and infant mortality rates. This occurs as a result of demographic transition.

(b) Yes. I think that India is facing a window of opportunity created by demographic dividend. But India?s recent experience suggests that marker forces by themselves do not ensure that such strategies would be implemented.