New Delhi- In a groundbreaking report released today, it has been revealed that the elderly demographic in India is poised for dramatic growth. By the middle of the century, individuals aged 60 and above are projected to comprise a remarkable one-fifth of the nation’s populace, surpassing the number of children aged zero to 14. This revelation, detailed in the ‘India Ageing Report 2023,’ is a collaborative effort between the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS).
As of July 1, 2022, the report indicates that there were 149 million individuals aged 60 and above, constituting approximately 10.5% of India’s total population. However, by the year 2050, this demographic group is predicted to double, reaching 20.8% of the population, with an absolute count of 347 million. Shockingly, the report projects that by the close of the century, the elderly will make up a staggering 36% of India’s entire population.
The report further forecasts that by 2046, the elderly population will surpass that of children aged 0 to 14, resulting in a decline in the population share of individuals aged 15 to 59. This shift underscores the impending transformation of India, transitioning from a relatively youthful nation to one grappling with rapid ageing.
Currently, India boasts one of the world’s largest populations of adolescents and young people, with 65% of its citizens under the age of 35. The hope has long been that this youthful demographic would provide a substantial workforce to propel the nation’s economy forward. However, the impending surge in elderly citizens presents new challenges that demand attention.
Regional disparities in the ageing population are also highlighted in the report. States in southern India and select northern states, including Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, already report a higher proportion of elderly citizens compared to the national average in 2021. This gap is expected to widen by 2036.
States with higher fertility rates and slower demographic transitions, such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, are also expected to witness an increase in the proportion of elderly citizens between 2021 and 2036, although their levels will remain lower than the national average.
The report emphasizes the challenges faced by elderly individuals based on factors like gender, ethnicity, and age. It notes a higher incidence of widowhood and greater life expectancy among older women, leading to greater functional restrictions and isolation. Rural elderly populations are particularly vulnerable due to limited access to healthcare, poor transportation, and income insecurity.
In response to these findings, the report recommends raising awareness of government schemes, leveraging community-based organizations to bridge implementation gaps, soliciting beneficiary feedback on government initiatives, bolstering health and financial security, enhancing collaboration with the private sector, preparing for disasters affecting the elderly, and strengthening data systems related to population ageing.
Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA India representative and country director Bhutan, emphasized, “Older persons have contributed significantly to society, and they deserve nothing less than our best efforts to ensure their well-being.” Saurabh Garg, secretary of the social justice ministry, echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of providing care and support to the elderly population for them to lead healthy, dignified, and fulfilling lives.
