The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy Nelson C. Mark Alfred C. DeCrane Jr. Professor of Economics, University of Notre Dame and National Bureau of Economic Research (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 1 / 36
Overview 1 A profound global demographic transition. 2 Macroeconomic drivers 1 (Economic) Differences across different age cohorts. 2 Young (children), Middle (working age), Old (retired age) (No offense). 3 Changes in the following exert changes in macroeconomy 1 Proportions of age cohorts, 2 Family size 3 Dependency ratios, 4 Aging (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 2 / 36
Economic Consequences 1 Demographic changes are predictable, but typically ignored in macroeconomic analysis. 1 National saving rates, interest rates, asset values 2 Economic growth rate 3 Monetary policy effectiveness 4 Viability of social security and medicare 2 Emphasis on global 1 Integrated financial markets 2 Trade, integrated global supply chains. 3 Plan of talk (interrupt any time) 1 Facts about demographic transition 2 Economic consequences 3 Case study: Japan (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 3 / 36
World Population in History (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 4 / 36
UK Survival Chances across the Ages (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 5 / 36
Child Mortality (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 6 / 36
Fertility Figure: Fertility (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 7 / 36
Fertility: China, India, USA, and Japan (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 8 / 36
Fertility in numbers (selected countries) Table: Fertility rates. (source: index mundi) Singapore 0.8 Hong Kong 1.17 South Korea 1.25 Poland 1.33 Italy 1.42 Germany 1.43 China 1.55 United States 2.05 Afghanistan 5.43 Niger 6.89 (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 9 / 36
Stylized Demographic Transition (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 10 / 36
Population and Growth (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 11 / 36
Population Trees 1 Percentage of population in each age group, by gender. 2 Historically looks like Christmas Tree 3 Current cohorts work their way up the tree, minus deaths 4 Look for bulges in trees. 1 Least developed bulging in children 2 China bulge in working age. 3 Japan bulging in retirees (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 12 / 36
Africa (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 13 / 36
Least Developed Countries (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 14 / 36
India (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 15 / 36
Indonesia (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 16 / 36
Latin America (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 17 / 36
China (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 18 / 36
Japan (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 19 / 36
Europe (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 20 / 36
USA Today (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 21 / 36
Figure: USA 1960 (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 22 / 36
World over Time (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 23 / 36
Where are the People? Asia! (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 24 / 36
over time, and highlights the difference between more- and lessdeveloped countries.) The larger surviving youth cohorts served to Whatdrive aredown we Transitioning the average age of populations. to? 12 RANDMR1274-2.1 10 World population in billions 8 6 4 2 Developing regions 0 1750 Developed regions 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2050 2100 2050 Year SOURCE: Population Reference Bureau, Human Population: Fundamentals of Growth, Population Growth, and Distribution, 2001. Available at http://www.prb.org/ Content/NavigationMenu/PRB/Educators/Human_Population/Population_Growth/ (University Population_Growth.htm. of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 25 / 36
Growth and Demographic Dividend 1 Growth: Working people spend money (an aggregate demand driver) 2 Dividend: As bulge works its way into working age, per capita GDP increases, due to fewer dependents. 1 Dividend lasts a long time (50-60 years) 2 What does country do with the surplus? 1 Invest in education, health, infrastructure, debt reduction, capital, technology, to create conditions for productive employment. Reap a second dividend. (East Asia?) 2 Squander? Slide backwards when bulge retires. (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 26 / 36
Aging and Growth Potential drag on growth. In US, 70% of GDP is private consumption expenditures 1 Older people don t spend as much 1 No work-related expenses (clothing, transportaiton commuting). 2 Downsized homes 3 Time to find bargains 4 Home production 2 Stress on pensions and social security tax burden on working aged (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 27 / 36
Life-Cycle Saving (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 28 / 36
China Saves! (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 29 / 36
Case Study: Japan (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 30 / 36
Case Study: Japan Features Rise (1980s-Japan Inc.) and fall (two decades of low or no growth) Ineffective fiscal and monetary stimulus No immigration Old society Losing 1 million people per year since 2009 Labor shortage. 3.1% unemployment rate Reduced capital investments generally, but leader in robotics. Housing stock. Education school consolidation. (Detroit) Reduced demand for consumer durables Looking to foreign markets for growth Long living, early retirirng. Pension liabilities look bad Demographics deserves much of the credit/blame Monetary stimulus will not address these issues (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 31 / 36
Japan GDP Growth 6 45,000 5 40,000 4 3 PC_GROWTH RGDP_PC 35,000 30,000 2 25,000 1 20,000 0 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 15,000 (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 32 / 36
Japan Interest Rates INTEREST 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 33 / 36
Japan Aggregate Household Saving 0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 Data Model 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 34 / 36
Japan: Consolidated AGED_DR W ORKING 50 88,000,000 40 84,000,000 30 80,000,000 20 76,000,000 10 72,000,000 0 70 75 80 85 90 95 00 05 10 RGDP_PC 45,000 68,000,000 5 70 75 80 85 90 95 00 05 10 PC_GROW TH 40,000 4 35,000 3 30,000 25,000 20,000 2 1 15,000 70 75 80 85 90 95 00 05 10 INTEREST 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 5 4 3 2 1 0-1 70 75 80 85 90 95 00 05 10 CA_GDP 0 70 75 80 85 90 95 00 05 10-2 70 75 80 85 90 95 00 05 10 (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 35 / 36
Conclude Demographic transition is a real thing. Economic policies usually focused on short-run. Monetary/fiscal stimulus, temporary tax changes, etc. Moves slow, but like a change in the tide. Has noticable economic effects. (University of Notre Dame) The Demographic Transition and the Global Economy November 1, 2017 36 / 36