Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has told Indonesia to seriously work on its investment in education if it wants to enjoy demographic bonus.

"Based on the 2014 Population Report, developing countries should seriously invest in the field of education to obtain a high economic growth," UNFPA Representative in Indonesia Jose Ferraris said here on Friday.

He was speaking at the launch of the State of World Population Report 2014: "The Power of 1.8 Billion Adolescents, Youth, and the Transforming of the Future" in collaboration with the National Population and Family Planning Board.

According to Jose, a country can enjoy demographic bonus if its working-age population is much more than its dependent population.

Therefore, it is necessary to invest in education so as to explore the potential of youth so that the countrys economic and social growth can be improved.

Moreover, the productive age population of a country must be equipped well to exploit better employment opportunities and higher incomes.

"By investing in the education of its younger generation, a country can enjoy the demographic bonus that can help reduce poverty and improve living standards," he affirmed.

According to the UNFPA report, demographic transition has occurred in 60 countries that have opened up opportunities to build more productive population.

"Demographic bonus will depend on the investment made by the state for the youth so that their potential can be maximized," he emphasized.
(Uu.A063/INE/KR-BSR/S012)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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