BPSC Mains PYQs

Introduction
A demographic dividend is a situation in which a country experiences boom growth that is significantly driven by massive upsurge of people in the working ages. This broadly means that more people are in the age and therefore a good labour supply all of which will create greater productivity and in-turn economic output. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) realized there was a unique opportunity garbage to seize in India’s Bihar State on such a possible demographic dividend. The article will hence be able to explain the concept of demographic dividend, the timeframe within which India and Bihar can tap it, and steps taken by Bihar to use its demographic dividend potential.

What is Demographic Dividend?
In terms, demographic dividend represents a bonus period during a country’s demographic transition when the working-age population (group aged 15 to 64 years) is much larger when compared to the dependent population. As a result, such a favorable age structure may have a mechanical effect by producing growth-enhancing factors such as expansion of an employed labor force in the proper way and a more effective improvement in productivity. This, however, does not happen automatically: one has to invest in schooling, health, etc., and place meaningful economic directions that generate employment and opportunities.

India’s Demographic Dividend
India forges ahead of China India is set to become the most populous country in 2023, overtaking China. UNFPA has stated that India shall have a demographic dividend for a large part of the coming decades with peaks around 2020-2040. India will have the advantage of a large young population during this phase, which although a demographic dividend, is a potential economic game-changer if effectively harnessed.

Bihar’s Demographic Dividend

Of India’s most populous states, Bihar has an especially youthful demographic. Bihar will enjoy the dividends of its demographic transition till the early 2050s, the UNFPA report claimed. This long period presents an excellent opportunity for the state to achieve tangible economic development. But to reap rewards, Bihar needs to overcome many hurdles: high unemployment, low educational attainment and poor health infrastructure.

Steps Taken by Bihar to Harness the Demographic Dividend

Education and Skill Development Investment:

Bihar’s SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan): To give a boost to primary education, SSA has been launched in Bihar. Its emphasis is on enrollment, retention, and quality.

Initiative (BSDI): Starting in 2012, BSDI plans to train 20 million people by 2022 in different fields. This program teams up with private companies to offer job training and help people learn new skills.

Healthcare Improvements:

To improve healthcare infrastructure, reduce infant and maternal mortality rates and improve health outcomes, the Bihar State Health Society (BSHS) has been systemically involved in the initiatives to promote health and hygiene. One significant scheme is the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) under the JSY, (money is provided) pregnant women for institutional deliveries, which directly / indirectly contribute to better maternal and child health. But such efforts can be fraught because systemic issues can stymie progress. While these goals are laudable, achieving them will take a well-resourced sustained commitment.

Creating Jobs Through Economic Reforms:

Industrial Development:

The truth is that the Bihar State Electronics Development Corporation (BISEDCO) has been actively cultivated the electronics and information technology industries in the region (Bihar) and generating a lot of jobs. Moreover the formation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) itself is not just an effort aimed at attracting an investment but also to ensure an industrial boom. However, the overall goal is to promote the economy of Bihar where much remains to be done for growth.

Agricultural Development:

Amidst policy engagements, the Bihar Krishi Vikas Yojana (BKVY) emerged as progress in agriculture modernisation, productivity enhancement, and job creation in the sector. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have also been on the agenda: various schemes and policies of the state government support MSMEs, which can substantively employ a substantial part of the workforce. But the success of these initiatives depends on their fit with local needs and conditions, because failure to do so can undermine their realized impact. While the initiatives are encouraging, the need for continuous monitoring and adjustment will be essential to ensure they align with the changing needs of the agricultural economy. A multifaceted approach is an ambitious one, and it must be balanced between innovation and practicality.

Infrastructure Development:

Road and Transport:

This investment in road infrastructure is therefore designed to improve connectivity and help the flow of people and goods in Bihar. But such developments can go beyond transport efficiencies, potentially spurring economic growth. While there are still hurdles remaining in other industries, the move toward infrastructure is vital as it sets the stage for future developments. Such a multidimensional strategy is key to promoting a more interconnected region that serves the interets of both the local population and broader economic goals.

Rural Development:

Efforts like the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS) focus specifically on empowering the rural population, the goal being to greatly increase their standard of living. But the success of these programs is often contingent on other external factors. The complexity lies in the fact that rural dynamics differ enormously from region to region. While the BRLPS has achieved significant progress, challenges persist in sustaining these improvements for the long term. At the end of the day, its all dependent on how local culture and economic situations are combined to help determine how well these things do.

Social and Cultural Initiatives:

Empowerment of Women: Initiatives like Mahila Samakhya aim to empower women which not only increase their participation in the workforce but also improves their all-round status. Youth Empowerment — Several initiatives have been launched by the state government to engage and empower youth including sports development, cultural events and leadership training programa.

Challenges and the Way Forward: However, despite such efforts, Bihar is still facing several challenges that hinder it from tapping the full potential of its demographic dividend. Major obstacles include high levels of poverty, poor access to quality education and healthcare, and limited job opportunities. These concerns highlight the need for the state to keep in mind systemic approaches that reach further than the short-term when considering the challenges that lie ahead; and the future of the region depends on that.

Enhance Educational Outcomes:

Improving the quality of education, especially in rural areas, is an issue that will always remain relevant. This will require a huge increase in the number of properly-qualified teachers in these regions, but these efforts are often met with the challenges of systems. Besides, the development of school infrastructure is also essential as it affects the learning environment. While there have been projects focused on tackling these concerns, the effectiveness of these actions depends on continued prioritization and investment of resources. It is this multi-pronged approach that is necessary for ensuring that students in rural areas receive an education that is not only equitable but also of high quality.

Improve Healthcare Services:

Improving health outcomes requires a robust and resilient health system, which starts with strengthening primary health care centres and increasing the number of health workers. But we need much stronger public health programs to deal with major problems like malnutrition and infectious disease.” Such a multifaceted approach is needed because, while the existing frameworks do exist, they are often insufficiently comprehensive to adequately address these endemic challenges. All of these components will help strengthen the healthcare structure while also building a healthier society, too.

Promote Inclusive Growth:

It is essential that economic opportunities are available for everyone in society (1), including marginalized and rural populations. Nevertheless, creating an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and innovation is essential to achieve this. The possibilities for development are significant, since inclusive economic practices may translate to a fairer society, despite the challenges that remain. This cycle of opportunity — individuals doing well, and thus communities doing well, and thus economies doing well, and thus countries doing well — sparks greater opportunity not only for people themselves, but also for larger, national economic development efforts.

Create More Jobs:

If we want to bring in more investments, we need to create supportive policies and incentives, but we also have to foster labor-rich industries. These sectors have the capacity to create a large number of jobs. While at the outset this might induce capital, ultimately this becomes a greater economic win as it addresses employment in a manner that is sustainable.

Conclusion

The demographic dividend is a great opportunity for Bihar for accelerated economic growth and development. Targeting investments for education, healthcare, infrastructure and job creation will help unlock the soured potential of a younger and growing workforce. Timeframe of next upcoming four decades until the early 2050s provides a significant window of opportunity to implement these initiatives to ensure that the demographic dividend transforms into tangible economic benefits for the population of Bihar. That said, while the state’s efforts to date reflect a step in the right direction, continued systemic strategies are necessary to maximize this unique demographic opportunity. But this pursuit requires an integrated approach from all sectors, since the desired impact can only be realised in this way.