Nairobi, July 15, 2014—United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director, Karen Freeman, joined Stephen Wainaina, Economic Secretary, Ministry of Devolution and Planning, and Dr. Josephine Kibaru, Director General of the National Council for Population and Development, to announce a new evidence-based tool, known as DemDiv, that informs policymakers of the potential benefits of the demographic dividend and the investments required to achieve those benefits.

The demographic dividend refers to a window of opportunity in which faster economic growth is caused, in part, by having a larger proportion of working-age adults and fewer dependents.

"It is important for us to take advantage of the demographic dividend, particularly the working age group, to plan wisely in order to realize sustainable development. Without proper policies in key areas, especially education and health, the milestones outlined in Vision 2030 cannot be realized," said Economic Secretary Wainaina.

DemDiv was developed by the Futures Group, under the U.S. Embassy-funded Health Policy Project directed by USAID, which works with the Kenyan Ministry of Health and Kenyan county health structures to strengthen health policies and systems. The tool was piloted in Kenya in cooperation with a technical working group, led by the National Council for Population and Development.

“Our 50-year partnership is built not only on our commitment to work together, but also on our ability to share ideas and resources, like DemDiv, that help us meet the great challenges of our time,” said Mission Director Freeman. USAID is the U.S. Government agency responsible for administering civilian foreign assistance.

USAID is the U.S. Government agency responsible for administering civilian foreign assistance.