The Impact of the Demographic Transition on Economic Growth

31st October 2025

This rapid evidence report synthesises recent literature from peer-reviewed academic papers accompanied by relevant publications from respectable research institutes.

It answers the question how demographic transition influences economic growth and what policies enable countries to harness this potential. The review updates earlier evidence (Bloom et al., 2001; Lee & Mason, 2012) with newer empirical and policy studies, focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and its changing demographic and institutional contexts.

It also draws further on an earlier rapid review on the impact of a demographic transition on the labour market (Quak, 2021).

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Suggested Citation

Quak, E. (2025). The impact of the demographic transition on economic growth. K4DD Rapid Evidence Review 317. Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies. DOI: 10.19088/K4DD.2025.108

Published

31st October 2025

Location

Continent: Africa