The demographic at risk: a look at the trends of poverty, inequality and informality

Abstract

This article is rather an excuse to reawaken the debate about the risks posed to the country if the window of opportunity that opens with the demographic transition in the period 2015-2040 is not taken inadvantage. During that time, Honduras has the possibility of triggering its development, since for the first time in its history, it will have a higher proportion of working age population, while reducing the dependent population (children and seniors), and this is, the demographic bond. But the road is full of threats. The main risk comes from trends of the poverty indicators, inequality and labor informality, whose regression was more marked from the political and institutional crisis of 2009, canceling the warm progress made in previous years. With this prelude, and analyzing successful experiences of those countries that took advantage of this opportunity, we see that the bond might not be a blessing to become a social burden for the future.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/pdac.v7i0.687

Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 7, No. 7, 2011 pp.8-15