Southern states, along with Himachal and Punjab, have higher elderly populations
In another 10 years by 2036, India’s senior citizen population is projected to surge to around 230 million, making up about 15% of the total population. According to a PIB statement, southern states, along with Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, have higher elderly populations, with regional disparities expected to widen by 2036.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the Nodal Ministry for matters relating to the Senior Citizens, developing and implementing Acts, Policies and Programmes for welfare of Senior Citizens. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and the subsequently amended Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Act, 2019 legally obligates children and heirs to provide maintenance to parents.
To know how the population of older people is changing, and what’s projected for the future, a “Population Projection Report” for India and States was made in July 2020 by the Technical Group on Population Projections (TGPP). As per the report, India’s elderly population will reach 230 million by 2036, representing a profound societal transformation with extensive implications.
According to a PIB statement, India is undergoing a rapid demographic transition, with the elderly population (60 years and above) projected to more than double from 100 million in 2011 to 230 million by 2036. This evolution indicates that by 2036, nearly one in seven Indians will be aged 60 years or older, representing a fundamental restructuring of the country’s population composition. Keeping this transition in mind, India has adopted multiple policies, programmes and legal provisions to address the challenges arising from declining fertility and rising life expectancy rates.
“Better nutrition and healthcare have helped people live longer in India, but this also brings new challenges and opportunities for growing old. The Government must prioritise access to pensions, adequate housing, and quality healthcare services, particularly for the economically vulnerable elderly individuals and widows,” it says
Southern states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh already have a high number of elderly people, similar to developed countries.
Kerala is expected to see its elderly population surge from 13% in 2011 to 23% by 2036, making it the state with the oldest population. In contrast, many northern and eastern states have fewer older people for now, but their numbers are growing fast. Uttar Pradesh has a relatively younger population, with the elderly segment projected to grow from 7% in 2011 to 12% by 2036. Southern states, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab have above-average elderly populations, thus highlighting India’s diverse demographic landscape.
The report reveals that 12% of India’s population comprises elderly individuals, a proportion projected to rise to 319 million by 2050, growing at an annual rate of approximately 3%. The sex ratio among the elderly stands at 1,065 females per 1,000 males, with women accounting for 58% of the elderly population, out of which 54% are widows. Furthermore, the overall dependency ratio is 62 dependents per 100 working-age individuals, highlighting the increasing socio-economic implications of population ageing in India.
