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Mali - The Demographic ChallengeMali has demographic characteristics
 similar to most sub-Saharan African countries, except for
 those of Southern Africa. The population of Mali is very
 young: in 1998, 46.3 percent of the population was under 15
 years of age. Whereas mortality, especially infant and child
 mortality, has decreased rapidly, fertility has remained
 high over the past decades, equaling 6.6 children per woman
 on average. As a result, the rate of demographic growth has
 increased significantly over the last decades. Today, the
 natural population growth rate is estimated at 3.3 percent
 per year (it will take 21 years for the population to
 double). International migration somewhat slows down this
 growth, and the net population growth rate is estimated at 3
 percent per year, which leads to a doubling of the
 population in 23 years. This study is presented in three
 chapters. The first chapter shows the present situation of
 the population of Mali and its prospects for the future.
 This chapter evaluates available demographic data, analyzes
 the size, geographic distribution as well as the structure
 and rate of growth of the population, including
 international migrations. It also presents population
 projections for the years 2005 to 2035, based on slow or
 rapid fertility decline scenarios. Chapter two is dedicated
 to the future implications of these demographic trends. It
 first addresses the development of human capital
 (demographic investment), especially in education and
 health. It then examines the macro-economic consequences of
 demographic growth for Mali. Finally, it briefly analyzes
 other consequences of the high population growth, in terms
 of increasing population density, agriculture, nutrition,
 urbanization, environmental degradation, and maternal and
 child health. The last chapter assesses the population
 policies in Mali and what is needed to set into motion a
 decline in fertility and presents practical recommendations.
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Uganda - Demography and Economic Growth in UgandaUganda has one of the youngest and most
 rapidly growing populations in the world. The most important
 demographic issue for Uganda is related to the age structure
 rather than the overall size of its population. A very young
 population represents a major challenge for Uganda in the
 short and medium term. In order to change its population age
 structure faster, Uganda needs to accelerate the demographic
 transition, namely the shift from high levels of mortality
 and fertility to low levels of mortality and fertility. Once
 mortality (especially infant and child) and fertility rates
 begin to fall, young age dependency ratio will follow the
 same trend albeit with some lag. This will have positive -
 and quite possibly major - implications for the economic
 growth. Given the high fertility and reduced mortality over
 the last several decades, Uganda's population will be
 growing rapidly over the next several decades. Uganda's
 economic future looks brighter under assumptions of
 demographic change.
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Burkina Faso : Promouvoir la croissance, la competitivite et la diversification : memorandum economique sur le paysThe main conclusion of Country Economic Memorandum is that the previous model of extensive growth has now exhausted its potential and must be renewed. Given the existing population dynamics, low environmental tolerance due to its Sahelian climate and competition forces imposed due to its open economy, Burkina Faso is heavily investing in growth based on increased productivity to overcome its low level of initial human capital, capacity constraints and regulation. To help define the new model of development of Burkina Faso, the Country Economic Memorandum is exploring growth based on productivity both at macro-, meso-economic or sectoral, micro and institutional levels only. It also assesses the sustainability of growth in the human, demographic, financial, fiscal and physical infrastructure. Wherever possible, it evaluates the performance of previous development programs and provides diagnostics on problems. It analyzes the current situation in terms of challenges and opportunities. Several major constraints on growth have been identified and the Memorandum offers practical ways to reduce or mitigate them. These constraints are: i. The frequency of exogenous shocks on agriculture in Burkina Faso, especially cotton, significantly slows the socio-economic development; ii. The real appreciation of the exchange rate has eroded the price competitiveness; iii. The country's attractiveness to foreign direct investment, despite significant progress in the business environment, limited growth potential; iv. The high fertility rates impede growth per capita and social development beginning with human capital; v. Environmental constraints limit the extensive growth of agriculture, while food security is always a challenge for human development; vi. The vulnerability of poor households prevents them from truly engaging in productive economic activities; vii. Constraints on institutional and human capacities reduce the effectiveness of public policies. The first volume of the Memorandum emphasizes the need for Burkina Faso to consider the macroeconomic and microeconomic constraints to growth and competitiveness, draws attention to the low sophistication of its exports and suggests policy instruments to facilitate the promotion of export and investment led by the private sector. The second volume emphasizes (i) the need for appropriate choices to ensure the viability of the cotton sector, (ii) the development of supply chains to achieve food security, growth and import substitution, (iii) the important role in the mining sector for growth, with good revenue management, and finally (iv) the potential of tourism as an industry will depend on the service quality improvements and the accommodation capacity and infrastructure. The third volume identifies the actions necessary to (i) address the issues of demographic change through better information, education and communication campaigns to bring about behavioral changes, (ii) develop instruments of risk management to manage the risks of economic, social, health, natural and food security, (iii) improve the country's access to regional and international markets, better connections to regional transport infrastructure, electricity, and telecommunications, water services and improved irrigation systems, (iv) exploiting the financial intermediation by new mechanisms of access to credit, reform the financial sector and institutional capacity building in financial management and risk in the business sector, and (v) create and use the budget by prioritizing expenditures, ensuring the collection of revenue and increasing the flow of aid.