If a country's working-age population increases but female education remains very low, what effect on the demographic dividend is possible?

Correct answer: The dividend may be limited because human capital and female participation may remain weak

A larger working-age population creates an opportunity, not an automatic economic benefit. To produce a demographic dividend, people need education, relevant skills, good health, productive jobs, and fair access to work. When female education remains very low, women may have fewer skills and fewer opportunities to enter or remain in paid employment. This reduces the effective use of the working-age population.

Option A is correct because weak female education can limit human capital, labour-force participation, income, and productivity. It may also weaken health and educational outcomes for the next generation. A rising working-age share does not automatically maximise the dividend or remove dependency. Nor does it necessarily reduce the elderly population; the age structure and mortality patterns determine that separately.