Exploring the implications of sub-Saharan Africa's population boom

Bridgewater released a research report analyzing the long-term implications of rapid growth in the working-age population in sub-Saharan Africa. The region's working-age population is expected to surpass China's in about 10 years and grow by roughly 70% over the next 20 years, an annualized growth rate of about 2.7%, far higher than other regions. The report notes that if productivity growth remains around 1%, the region will remain underdeveloped, potentially exacerbating global poverty, migration pressure, and political instability. If productivity growth rises to 4%, the region could achieve catch-up growth and gradually increase its position in the global economy.