The India Ageing Report 2023, an insightful product of the collaboration between the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India and the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), paints a concerning picture related to the rapidly growing elderly population in India. This comprehensive report sheds light on poverty levels, demographic trends, gender differences, social security awareness, regional variations, and more, offering valuable insights into the challenge of India’s ageing population.
Demographic Trends
One of the striking highlights in the report is the rapid increase in India’s elderly population. It outlines a decadal growth rate of 41% and predicts that by 2050, over 20% of the country’s population will be elderly. Additionally, it projects that by 2046, the elderly population will surpass the nation’s child population (aged 0 to 15 years). The report also alerts that the population of Indians aged 80+ years will surge by roughly 279% between 2022 and 2050.
Higher Life Expectancy of Women
Women display a higher life expectancy at ages 60 and 80 compared to men, with noticeable variations across states and territories. In particular, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala present a substantial difference, where women at 60 years have a life expectancy four years greater than men of the same age — comparing to a national average differential of merely 1.5 years.
Poverty and Well-being
With more than 40% of the elderly in India belonging to the poorest wealth quintile, poverty among the elderly is a prominent issue affecting both their quality of life and healthcare utilization. A significant proportion of these individuals, especially women, are living without any income, which further reduces their quality of life and hinders their healthcare accessibility.
Regional Variations
Significant variations are observed in the elderly population and their growth rates among different Indian states. Most southern region states, along with select northern states like Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, reported a higher share of the elderly population than the national average in 2021. This gap is expected to widen by 2036.
Sex Ratio of the Elderly Population
The sex ratio among the elderly has been on an upward trend since 1991, outpacing the ratio in the general population. From 2011 to 2021, the ratio climbed across all regions, except for the Union Territories and western India. However, despite an increasing sex ratio among the elderly in northeastern and eastern India, men still outnumber women in these regions even at 60+ years.
Low Awareness of Social Security Schemes
The report brings attention to the fact that awareness about various social security schemes designed for the elderly in India is low. Approximately just over half of the elderly population (55%) are aware of the old-age pension scheme (IGNOAPS), 44% are informed about the widow pension scheme (IGNWPS), and a mere 12% know about the Annapurna Scheme.
Concerns and Challenges
The report marks poverty as a major concern, particularly for older women who are more likely to be widowed, living alone, without income or assets, and completely dependent on their families for support. The key challenges identified include feminisation and ruralisation of the ageing population.
Recommendations from the Report
The report suggests measures such as enhancing credible data on issues related to the elderly, increasing awareness about existing schemes for older individuals, bringing all Old Age Homes under regulatory purview, and encouraging the creation and running of elderly self-help groups. It also stresses on the significance of multigenerational households and recommends policies that facilitate and support this living arrangement.
What is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)?
The UNFPA, established in 1967, and operational from 1969, works as a sexual and reproductive health agency under the mandate of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It directly targets Sustainable Development Goals on health, education, and gender equality. Notably, its functioning doesn’t rely on the UN budget, but it is entirely supported by voluntary contributions from various sources including donor governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, foundations, and individuals.
