The window of opportunity from the demographic dividend generally ends due to which reason?

The demographic dividend refers to a unique period in a country’s demographic transition when the ratio of working-age individuals (typically ages 15-64) to dependents (those younger or older) is especially favorable. This can lead to economic growth and development, as there are more people who can be economically productive per dependent.

The window of opportunity from the demographic dividend generally ends when people start to live longer, which means the proportion of elderly individuals increases relative to the working-age population. As life expectancy improves and more people live into old age, the dependency ratio shifts, causing there to be fewer working-age individuals supporting a growing population of older dependents. This shift can strain economic resources and diminish the potential benefits of the demographic dividend, as more resources will need to be allocated to support an aging population rather than to investment in education and economic productivity.

In contrast, the other options either do not directly cause the demographic dividend to end or could potentially extend it under certain circumstances. For instance, rural populations increasing and people having larger families could continue to contribute to a younger population structure for a time. Economic pressures requiring more people to work might address workforce needs but does not inherently close the demographic window. Thus, the increasing life expectancy is the primary reason the demographic