<P> "By the middle of this century, the population of the least developed countries will have doubled in size, adding 14 million young people to the working - age population each year . Creating conditions for decent livelihoods will be an enormous task, especially given that, currently, about 80 per cent of the people who work in these countries are unemployed, underemployed or irregularly employed . Additionally, the shortage of financial resources will make it difficult to maintain, let alone increase, spending on health, education and nutrition ." </P> <P> Therefore, in order to reap the benefits of a demographic dividend, countries must recognize and cultivate the potential of young people and close the gap between the demands placed on young people and the opportunities provided to them . </P> <P> East Asia provides some of the most compelling evidence to date of the demographic dividend . The demographic transition in East Asia occurred over 5--15 years during the 1950s and 1960s, a shorter time period than anywhere previously . During this time, East Asian countries invested in their youth and expanded access to family planning allowing people to start families later and have fewer children . More resources began to become available, investment in infrastructure began and productive investments were made as fertility rates fell resulting in unprecedented economic growth . For example, UNFPA stated that, "The Republic of Korea, saw its per - capita gross domestic product grow about 2,200 per cent between 1950 and 2008 and Thailand's GDP grew 970 per cent ." </P> <P> East Asia was able to benefit from knowledge, experience, and technology of other countries that had already passed through the demographic transition . It has been argued that the demographic dividend played a role in the "economic miracles" of the East Asian Tigers and accounts for between one fourth and two fifths of the "miracle". </P>

Demographic dividend cause of rejoice or fear about future