The advantage of ageing: age structure evolution in some sub-Saharan countries

The planet will be threatened, says Rostow, not by overpopulation but by the perspective of the demographic stagnation that constitutes the true challenge not only for the industrialized countries but equally, and perhaps above all, for the countries less developed (that are less prepared to such a change). This is the case also of the sub-Saharan countries, that have not been sufficiently analysed under this interesting point of view. Aware that it is not possible to have accurate data, we used, for our calculations, the data provided by the United Nations in order to have an homogeneity and reliability (as much as possible) for all considered countries. Our main aim, therefore, is to outline the frame of reference in terms of past and future structural changes of the populations of some sub-Saharan countries through the construction of two indicators that allow us to illustrate the assessment that the average person (in a statistical sense) can do about its situation. We tried to answer some questions that the individual, entering in the productive and reproductive life, will have to face: what are the charges that parents do represent for a single individual and what are the charges represented by the children that the individual will have. As a result of our analysis, we notice that the considered countries will have to carefully evaluate the significant effects produced by structural changes in order to calibrate the possible interventions. At the same time it will be fundamental to keep in mind that, in the increased demand, for example in terms of education, social progress and democratization will play an even more important role than that played by the demographic evolutions