Niger Tackles Rapid Population Growth with Demographic Dividend Budgeting Workshop
By Patience Ikpeme
The Government of Niger Republic is taking a proactive approach to address its rapidly growing population by launching a workshop on Demographic Dividend Responsive Budgeting (BSDD).
This initiative aims to optimize the country’s budget to maximize the opportunities presented by its youthful population.
The workshop, held in Niamey from June 20-21, 2024, was organized by the Sub-Regional Office for West Africa of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (SRO-WA/ECA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Public Health, Population, and Social Affairs.
Niger’s population has grown exponentially, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9% between 2012 and 2021. This surge, primarily driven by a high fertility rate of 6.2 children per woman, has resulted in a young population structure with over 50% under 15 years old.
While a large youth population holds potential for future workforce growth, it also presents significant challenges. The current social service infrastructure, including education and healthcare, is struggling to keep pace with the growing demand. Indicators for these services are stagnating or declining, hindering Niger’s overall socio-economic development.
“The concern is not the number, but the quality of care,” stated Mr. DIOUF Djibo, Director General of the Budget at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. This workshop aims to address this concern by equipping government officials with the tools for BSDD.
BSDD is a budgeting approach that prioritizes investments in areas that can empower a young population, such as education and healthcare. By strategically allocating resources, Niger hopes to unlock the potential of its demographic boom and propel sustainable development.
*Mr. Fabien Ngendakuriyo, Economist at SRO-WA/ECA, emphasized that maintaining the current status quo in budget allocation is not a viable option. Niger must prioritize investments in education and health, the pillars of human capital development, to reap the benefits of its demographic dividend.
The workshop highlighted how past budget allocations have fallen short. Education spending has dropped from 17% (2013-2017) to 10% (2018-2020), while health has seen a modest increase from 5.5% to 7% over the same period.
BSDD doesn’t necessarily require an increased budget, but rather a smarter use of existing resources. The workshop focused on equipping participants with skills to reallocate funds strategically to optimize public spending and support the demographic dividend.
This workshop signifies Niger’s commitment to capturing the demographic dividend. By adopting BSDD practices, the government aims to enhance the effectiveness of public spending in 2024 and integrate demographic considerations into the 2025 budget cycle.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders from various ministries, institutions, and international organizations, including the General Directorate of Budget, the General Directorate of Population, the National Institute of Statistics, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). This collaboration is crucial for the successful implementation of BSDD in Niger.
Niger’s proactive approach to tackling its rapid population growth serves as an example for other nations facing similar challenges. By harnessing the potential of its young population through strategic budgeting, Niger can pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future.
