Abhatoo - Centre Nationale de Documentation

The rapid demographic transition particularly, the worldwide reduction in mortality rates during the latter half of the last century has resulted in numerical growth of older (65+) population, which would have far reaching socioeconomic consequences. This paper examines the trends of ageing and age-structural transition in 22 members of the League of Arab States by the middle of the 21st century. The analysis is based upon medium variant population projections published by the United Nations in 2008. Based on the indices of ageing, Arab states have been classified as ‘Fast’, ‘Medium’ and ‘Slow’ ageing countries. The analysis of ‘Potential Support Ratio’ showed rapid increase during the period around 1995-2020 and thereafter recorded a decline. It, however, revealed increasing of burden of old-age persons placed on the working population. Based on the analyses of growth rates for working age population and of total population, the period of demographic dividend/economic opportunity for all the Arab States has been estimated.