Working Paper: NBER ID: w31750
Authors: Madeline E. Duhon; Edward Miguel; Amos Njuguna; Daniela Pinto Veizaga; Michael W. Walker
Abstract: The over-60 population in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to grow rapidly in the coming decades, tripling between 2020 and 2050. Despite this explosive projected growth, few countries in the region have implemented policies designed to support older populations. Further, little research in economics has specifically examined aging in Sub-Saharan Africa, though many opportunities exist for economists to generate research evidence to inform the design of effective policies in this area. This paper combines insights from a cross-disciplinary review with original data analysis to characterize the challenges and opportunities facing older Sub-Saharan Africans in domains such as health and financial security. Informed by these findings, the paper identifies directions for future economic research and discusses how research evidence can inform the design of health care systems, pensions, and other public support programs to prepare for an aging Africa.
Keywords: Aging; Sub-Saharan Africa; Health Policy; Economic Research
JEL Codes: H51; H55; J14; O10; O55
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| increase in older population (J14) | increased demands on health care and support services (I11) |
| contextual factors (poverty, infectious diseases, conflict) (I32) | effectiveness of policy measures (F68) |