| dc.description.abstract | This study investigates the effects of population dynamics as Kenya strives to
reap from demographic dividend arising from accelerated economic growth as
the population changes. At the moment, 78 per cent of Kenya’s population is aged
below 35 years mainly due to high fertility, leading to a high dependency ratio
that limits savings to invest. As a result, the government is committing more
resources to non-productive sectors in the provision of education, health and
other facilities for children. The high population growth is not in tandem with
job creation, leading to high unemployment levels mostly affecting the youth
aged 15-35 years. In the recent past, the country has experienced a rise in cases
of insecurity, youth radicalization, terrorism, drug abuse and alcoholism, which
are partly blamed on youth unemployment and frustrations.
Through the Economic Recovery Strategy and Medium Term Plans, although
without much success, the government has made several interventions to
create jobs through Kazi Kwa Vijana, Uwezo Fund, Women Enterprise Fund,
Youth Enterprise Fund and Access to Government Procurement Opportunities.
But unemployment remains a major challenge against the ever increasing
population, culminating into a large unemployed working age population. These
are the basis that motivated this study which uses data for the period 1970-2012,
and employed an economic growth model.
The study found that the country stands a chance to benefit from demographic
dividend if appropriate policies are put in place. | en |
