The growing potential of the workforce within the ECOWAS region presents a significant opportunity — first and foremost for the region itself, as it holds the key to economic development, innovation and social progress. At the same time, this emerging talent pool can also play a meaningful role in addressing skill shortages in other parts of the world, particularly in regions facing demographic challenges.
Population NL (2000-2050)
- The total Dutch population will increase slightly over the next 10 years to 19 million and then stagnate.
- The potential workforce (everyone aged 15-75) will grow very slightly and then start declining from 2030 onward.
- There will be fewer and fewer young people (0-15 years), meaning a decreasing influx.
- The number of elderly people (75+) will continue to grow, leading to an increasing outflow.
Population Europe (2000-2050)
- The total population decreases from nearly 745 million people in 2025 to just 703 million in 2050.
- The potential workforce (everyone between 15 and 75 years old) has been past its peak since 2010 and is declining at an increasing rate.
- There are fewer and fewer young people (0-15 years old), meaning less new inflow.
- There are more and more elderly people (75+), meaning more outflow.
Population Western Africa (2000-2050)
- The total population continues to grow rapidly, from over 466 million people in 2025 to nearly 735 million in 2050.
- The potential workforce (everyone between 15 and 75 years old) is exploding—by 2025, another 220 million people will be added in West Africa.
- The growth of the number of young people (0-15 years old) is slowing down, but the total number keeps increasing, reaching 232 million in 2050, so there will still be a strong inflow.