Convened by Pedro Goulart, Center of Administration and Public Policies, ISCSP, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal 

Africa and South America are large continents rich in resources, where labour was scarce for centuries. In fact, slavery was seen as one of the causes and one of the responses to it. However, this has been changing. The Global South has been facing a surge in population growth, while the Global North is facing a lower share in total world population and an ageing population. The African population is estimated to reach 2.4 billion in 2050 from 830 million in 2000. Today, Africa's population is more than 1.5 billion persons, with more than 40% under 15 years old. In South America, for example, Brazil rose from 53 million in 1950 to 174 million in 2000 and 212 million in 2024. This change meant a progressive shift from labour scarcity to abundance and a much younger population. This new situation is creating challenges and opportunities, which call for economic, social and political restructuring:

1) Changing paradigms in investing in education – Younger population puts pressure on (insufficient) existing structures. While it is needed to expand the current supply of low levels of schooling, expanding higher degree completion is also relevant. What should be the priorities?

2) Labour-intensive vs. capital-intensive activities – While labour scarcity suggests opportunities for capital-intensive activities, labour abundance pressures economic structures to absorb the expanding labour supply. How should African structural transformation be envisioned?

3) Interaction with neighbouring countries – As labour abundance and its change vary across countries, the scope for regional articulation and complementarity increases. What is the role of regional dynamic comparative advantages?

4) Inclusion of vulnerable and voiceless groups—Participation, co-production, and other mechanisms have been key in bringing some groups to the forefront, although sometimes this was only lip service. How can inclusive governance structures improve policy legitimacy, efficiency, and efficacy?

Submissions of abstracts on these topics are welcome, particularly those on Portuguese-speaking countries.

This panel is organised by the EADI Working Group on "Institutions and Development in Portuguese Speaking Countries"

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