Recently, UNFPA(United Nations Fund Population) India, in collaboration with IIPS( International Institute for Population Sciences) has released the highly anticipated India Aging Report 2023.
News Jungal Desk: This Report sheds light on the challenges, opportunities and institutional responses surrounding elderly care in India, as India navigatesa demographic shift towards an aging population.
Key Highlights:
According to this report, India’s elderly population is growing rapidly, with a decadal growth rate of 41%.
Over 20% India’s polulation will become elderly by 2050.
Indian elderly polulation will surpass the population of children (0-15 year old) by 2046.
People aged 80+ years will increase by 279% between 2022-2050.
More than 40% elderly in India are in the poorest wealth group.
A major portion of elderly, especially women , are living without any income, affecting their quality of life and healthcare utilization.
Women have higher life expectancy at ages 60 and 80 compared to men, such as In Himanchal Pradesh and Kerala, women at 60 years have alife expectancy of 23 and 22 years respectively, which is four year greater than men in these states.
The elderly in India have low awareness about various social security schemes running for them.
Only 55% are aware of the old age pension scheme, 44% about widow pension scheme, and 12% about Annapurna scheme.
Challenges:
Poverty is inherently gendered in old age when older women are more likely to be widowed, living alone, with no incme with fewer assetsof their own and fully dependent on the family for support.
India’s aging population is facing feminization and ruralization of the older population.
Recommendations:
Address the lack of credible data on old age related issuesand include relevant questions in data collection exercises such as, National Family Health Survey, Census of India etc.Thsi will help in informed policy making.
Increase awareness about existing old age schemes and encourage the creation of old age self help group.
Older persons have made substantial contribution to society and they deserve nothing less than our utmost efforts to ensure their well-being.
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