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The Human Development Index is a useful measure of a country’s overall prosperity and standard of living (HDI). The Human Development Index (HDI) provides data on the social and economic progress of a nation by accounting for variables such as life expectancy, education attainment, and per capita income. This research delves into the intricate correlation of a nation’s historical background, policy framework, and advancements on the Human Development Index. The remarkable journey of South Africa, from apartheid to inclusive growth, is an important example. The study uses an average yearly growth rate to examine how changes in political ideologies, ongoing development initiatives, and historical contexts of inequality have shaped South Africa’s HDI trajectory. By examining crucial turning points and policy influences, the study aims to reveal the complex relationship of factors affecting human development results. Despite improvement, challenges like unemployment and poverty continue. The study stresses the relevance of understanding historical context and policy changes in shaping HDI outcomes. Ultimately, the study emphasises the need of maintaining a long-term commitment to effective and inclusive human development policies. Understanding the complex relationship of factors influencing South Africa’s HDI will help policymakers make better informed decisions that will lead to a more prosperous and fair society for all South Africans.

BackgroundCovid-19 epidemics raged around the world in years 2020-2022. The dynamics of the epidemics and their mortality varied by country depending on prevention, treatments, vaccination and health status of the population.ObjectiveThe study compares Covid-19 morbidity and mortality in South-Africa and in France, two countries with similar population size and with reliable reporting systems, in order to better understand the dynamics and impacts of the epidemics and the effects of health policies and programs.Data and methodsData on cases, deaths, hospitalizations, vaccinations were drawn from national statistics. Published data on cases and deaths were corrected for undercount.ResultsResults show a different epidemiology in the two countries in the first three years of the epidemic (2020-2022). Incidence was higher in South Africa, and some 44% more people were infected by December 2022 than in France. Mortality and case-fatality were also higher in South Africa despite a favourable age structure. The age pattern of mortality showed higher values in South Africa among the young adults. Young women appeared somewhat disadvantaged in South Africa. Lastly, vaccination appeared to have had no effect on incidence, but a large effect on case-fatality in France.ConclusionsDespite about the same population size and the same crude death rate at baseline, South Africa exhibited more cases and more deaths from Covid-19 over the 2020-2022 period. Prevention strategies (lockdown and vaccination) appear to have had large impacts on morbidity and mortality.

Unemployment is a major barrier to achieving a successful demographic dividend in many countries, including South Africa. A shortage of skills and knowledge among the working-age population is one of the key issues. The objective of this article is to examine if there is a link between youth unemployment in South Africa and demographic indicators. This article examines the relationship between educational achievement and employment status among working-age South Africans. Secondary data was used, and desktop analysis was performed on the information gathered from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey of 2017 and 2019. Findings show a link between youth unemployment and demographic characteristics, as well as a link between educational attainment and work status in South Africa. According to our findings, when it comes to gender and employment possibilities, women have a harder time finding jobs than men. in addition, being black or African makes it more challenging to find a job compared to other demographic groups. This suggests that more must be done in the labor market for South Africa's economy to grow. Youth labor force involvement must be increased in the future to reduce the number of discouraged job seekers. Government initiatives that promote labor market flexibility should be implemented.

Nigeria is one of Africa’s most populous countries. Nigeria’s population is expected to exceed 400 million by 2050, putting it among the top five most populous countries in the world. High birth rates, limited contraception use, and early marriage are the main causes of this rapid increase. In Nigeria, adolescents play a substantial role in these issues, with 117 births per 1000 girls aged 15–19 years. Data for this article comes from the 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Our sample consisted of 1014 sexually active unmarried adolescents aged 15–19 years. Kaplan Meier’s curve, Log Rank Test, and Cox proportional hazards model were modeled to estimate the parameters at p > 0.05. Findings show that the average time to the first use of modern contraceptives after sexual initiation is two years. Initiating sex at age 15 or later, belonging to the richest household wealth quintile, and use of the internet is associated with the early initiation of modern contraceptive methods, while residing in the northwest region and being older are associated with a low incidence of modern contraceptive use. Results indicate a deferred initiation of modern contraceptives after first sexual encounter. It has become imperative for tailored interventions to improve the time of initiation of contraceptives, so as to reduce the associated burdens and consequences.

In the summer 1999, Kosovo was emerging from a three-month conflict that followed a period of disruption and violence dating back to the late 1980’s. The last large-scale census had taken place in 1991 and had been largely boycotted by the ethnic Albanians. Similarly, the vital statistics, hitherto of good quality, had been boycotted by the ethnic Albanians since 1992. One had to go back to the census of 1981 for reliable demographic data on Kosovo. To overcome these statistical shortcomings, the UNFPA (United Nations Population Funds) in Kosovo conducted a survey of 40,918 people in 7,343 households between November 1999 and February 2000.This survey determines the major fertility trends : decline of indexes from the birth cohorts of the 1940’s subsequent to the increase in the marriage age and, more recently, to a modest degree of recourse to contraception. More recently, one can notice the downturn in conception during the conflict months as a result of large-scale displacement and the possible separation of spouses that ensued. This survey points out the bad women condition in Kosovo, through a very high male ratio at birth, and also through the little variance between the sexes as regards mortality due to other causes than the conflict, and a maternal mortality above 150 deaths per 100,000 births that is extraordinary high for Europe.This survey gives also an estimation of demographic consequences of the conflict, forced moves : almost 1,400,000 people displaced including over 1,000,000 outside of Kosovo ; or war deaths : approximately 13,000 deaths due to the conflict, i.e. a gross war mortality rate of nearly 9‰ compared with a gross mortality rate due to other causes of some 5‰.