Kerala has highest share of elderly in population, Bihar lowest
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Source: TOI

 What is the News?

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation(MOSPI) has released a report titled “Elderly in India 2021”.The report is based on the findings of the Technical Group on Population Projections for India and States for 2011-2036.

Key Findings of the Elderly in India 2021 Report:

Elderly in India 2021

 Growth of Elderly Population:
  • The general population has grown by 12.4% during 2011-2021 in comparison to around 18% in the earlier decade.
  • On the other hand, the elderly population has grown by 36% in each of the last two decades (2001-2011 and 2011-2021).
  • A high growth rate in the elderly population compared to the general population was also observed earlier in the two decades between 1961 and 1981.
  • Reasons: The growth in the elderly population has been attributed to the longevity of life achieved because of economic well-being, better healthcare and medical facilities and reduction in fertility rates.
Read more: Govt launched (Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine) “SAGE Initiative and SAGE Portal”
State Wise Elderly Population:
  • As per 2021 data, Kerala has the maximum proportion (16.5%) of elderly people in its population.
  • It was followed by Tamil Nadu (13.6%), Himachal Pradesh (13.1%), Punjab (12.6%) and Andhra Pradesh (12.4%).
  • The proportion of the Elderly Population is the least in Bihar (7.7%) followed by Uttar Pradesh (8.1%) and Assam (8.2%).
Read more: Kerala’s “Bell of Faith Scheme” for elderly

 Future Projections:

  • The projections for 2031 show that Kerala will have the maximum proportion (20.9%) of elderly people in its population.
  • It will be followed by Tamil Nadu (18.2%), Himachal Pradesh (17.1%), Andhra Pradesh (16.4%) and Punjab (16.2%), according to the report.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio:

  • The old-age dependency ratio provides a clearer picture of the number of persons aged 60-plus per 100 persons in the age group of 15-59 years.
  • According to the report, an increasing trend has been observed in the old-age dependency ratio. It has risen from 10.9% in 1961 to 14.2% in 2011 and is further projected to increase to 15.7% and 20.1% in 2021 and 2031 respectively.
  • The projected dependency ratio for females and males is 14.8% and 16.7% respectively in 2021.
Read more: “ELDERLINE” is providing assistance to thousands of elderly persons

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