TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE DEMOGRAPHIC BONUS IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR. CASE OF HONDURAS (UNAH) AND COSTA RICA (UCR) (#715)

Authors

Carcamo Sauceda, Lisette Marleny

Hernández, Martha María

Hung, Gabriela

Abstract

The demographic bonus can be defined as a decrease in the growth rate of the dependent population relative to the growth rate of the productive population. As part of the demographic transition process, known as the demographic bonus, the countries considered for this study present the following: Honduras will have the largest working-age population in its history in the coming decades, ending in 2035, which is when population aging begins, increasing the number of dependents. Costa Rica shows a decline in its active population. According to a study by the University of Costa Rica (UCR), the demographic bonus ended in 2020. It will experience an aging society before the rest of Latin America. In light of the above, the enrollment utilization in the largest public universities is analyzed, and an enrollment projection for both universities is prepared based on historical data from 2014 to 2022. For UNAH, a decrease in the growth of the student population has been observed since 2019, considering that the population aging in Honduras is projected for 2035. In the case of UCR, a notable increase in enrollment is observed for the same period.