India is greying – and what we can do about it

Source: The post is based on an article “India is greying and what we can do about it” published in the Live Mint on 25th July 2022. 

Syllabus: GS 1 Population in India; GS 2 Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation

Relevance: Population Ageing in India 

News: Recently, Population trends and forecasts undertaken by the government and several other agencies were released in the public domain. The points that ageing is going to be one of the most critical concerns for India. 

Ageing refers to a demographic situation in which the population is heading towards such a situation where the share of 60+ population in the overall population steadily increases.  

Why is this a matter of concern for India? 

(1) Though the proportion of older persons in the overall population is low (8.6%), their overall number is very high (104 million), as per the 2011 census. The overall number is projected to be four times in 50 years, i.e., to reach 425 million by 2061. 

(2) The proportion of the older population of the total population is different in different states. This is because different states of India are at different stages of the demographic transitions. Therefore, their projected population share is going to range from 11.6% in Bihar to 23.9% in Kerala, by 2041.  

(3) Ageing in India is happening at a super-quick pace. In France and Sweden, the older population took 110 years and 80 years respectively to double its share from 7% to 14%. However, in the case of India, it is projected to take only 20 years to double. In 2061, every 4th person in India is expected to be 60+.  

(4), India is aging before becoming rich. The poverty rates are higher among older persons. As per the United Nations Population Fund 2012 study, 52% of the older population is economically fully dependent and 18% share is partially dependent (18%) on others for livelihood. Further, a large number of older persons continue to work or are forced to work because of economic conditions.  

For example, in 2021, almost 10% of the total workers in MGNREGA were 61 years or older. 

(5) The level of social security coverage and access to health services for the elderly is fairly low.  

Measures Taken for the older population in India so far 

The Indian government had launched the National Policy for Older persons in 1999.  This was launched even before the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. 

The Kerala government addresses the issue with initiatives and budgetary allocations right from the panchayat level.  

In the last two years, the ministry of social justice has been active in coming up with some innovative solutions.  

What should be done? 

There is a plethora of schemes for the elderly, but they are tokenistic because they lack the depth and financial support needed to make any meaningful impact. 

Given the scenario of the poor financial status of the elderly and lack of financial support for schemes under implementation, there is a need for high- level political engagement over this issue. 

There is a need for a differentiated approach to planning for older persons across states. 

There should be proactive and prospective policies and programmes on older population both at the national and state levels. These initiatives should be formulated and implemented with the engagement of all the stakeholders including corporates and civil society, 

There is much to learn from countries such as Taiwan and China on this front.