If youth dependency is very high in a country, which combination correctly describes the short-term and long-term effects?

Correct answer: Short-term pressure on education and health, long-term potential for a large workforce

A high youth dependency ratio means that children make up a large population compared with the working-age group. In the short term, families and governments must provide schooling, vaccination, health care, nutrition, and other child-related services for many people who are not yet working. This can place pressure on household budgets and public facilities. In the longer term, however, these children may enter working ages and create a large labour force.

Option A correctly states both sides. The future benefit is only potential: it depends on education, health, skills, jobs, and suitable economic policies. A high youth dependency ratio does not describe a pension burden, so option B is unsuitable. It also does not guarantee that children will later become scarce, and it cannot mean that ageing will end. Option D ignores the clear short-term costs and the possible long-term demographic opportunity.