West and Central Africa will add 200 million children by 2050 — but they are not healthy enough to work

Between 2025 and 2050, over 200 million children will be born in West and Central Africa. However, nearly one-third of children under five in the region are stunted, and almost 10 percent die before their fifth birthday. This means the region's future workforce will lack the basic health and nutrition needed for education and jobs.

The World Bank is pointing out a demographic time bomb. The region is about to have a massive youth population, but without immediate investment in health and nutrition, these young people will not be able to contribute to their countries' economies. This paper argues that the region's future prosperity hinges on breaking the cycle of poor health outcomes now, before this generation enters the workforce.