Publication: Sri Lanka - Demographic Transition : Facing the Challenges of an Aging Population with Few Resources
Date
2012-10
ISSN
Published
2012-10
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
As a result of low fertility rates and
high life expectancy, the current demographic trends in Sri
Lanka include a declining share of children and increasing
share of elderly, and (for now) an increasing working age
population. Sri Lanka has a unique window of opportunity to
take advantage of the high share of working age population
to stimulate economic growth, but the other two emerging
population issues spur questions on their own. In this
context, the report discusses some of the economic
implications of demographic transition in Sri Lanka,
focusing on employment and productivity related issues on
one side; and performance of cash transfer programs aiming
to assist the poor and vulnerable groups on the other. This
report quantifies Sri Lanka's demographic change by
providing updated population projections and by applying
National Transfers Accounts methodology documenting how the
demographic change and aging contribute to life-cycle
deficit and to Sri Lanka's employment and labor market.
The challenges and opportunities associated with the
upcoming demographic transition are highlighted, focusing on
the functioning of the labor markets and the social safety
net system. The report discusses different avenues that the
country can take to make its labor market more efficient and
inclusive, and offset some of the disadvantages faced by the
poor and vulnerable households. The analysis in this report
suggests that timely policy actions can enable Sri Lanka to
effectively cope with its changing demographic structure.
Citation
“World Bank. 2012. Sri Lanka - Demographic Transition : Facing the Challenges of an Aging Population with Few Resources. © Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/2ce36ecb-26b3-538f-855e-12d47e986a5a License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”