Aging population in India.
India mirrors the trend of aging population in the world.
UNPF report says in India the 60 year above population will double from 14.9 crores in 2022 to 35.7 crores in 2050.
In Kerala and West Bengal for instance, there is a growing population of the elderly who live alone as children migrate for better opportunities.
Women elderly citizens outnumber their male counterparts.
Aging population in India.
Women labour force in India is low at 24%.
Women were away from economic and social security, they will become more vulnerable in old age.
South states were reported with aging population higher that national average.
This gap will be even wider by 2036.
States with high fertility rate like Bihar and U.P expected to see an increase in aging population by 2036.
Report says, 18.7% of the elderly do not have any income.
Aging population in India.
Aged population are unaware about the schemes available to them and finds too cumbersome to sign up.
Implications of Aging Population
According to the National Commission on Population, the share of the elderly in India’s population, close to 9% in 2011, is growing fast and may reach 18% by 2036.
Life expectancy is doubled since independence its 32year to 70 year.
In same period, fertility rate 6 to 2 per women.
Indian society is undergoing with rapid transformation under the impact of
Industrialization,
Urbanization,
Technical & Technological change
Education
Globalization
Problems due to aging
Negligence by kids towards their old parents.
Disillusionment due to retirement.
Powerlessness, loneliness, uselessness isolation in elderly.
Generational gap.
Financial issues
Health issues.
Importance of adopting policies
Under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) scheme, India has important schemes of non-contributory pensions for the elderly, widowed women and disabled persons.
It is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Issues with the Scheme
Eligibility for NSAP is restricted to “Below Poverty Line” (BPL) families.
When it comes to old-age pensions, targeting is not a good idea.
Targeting tends to involve complicated formalities such as the submission of certificates and other documents submissions.
The central contribution to old-age pensions under NSAP has stagnated at a tiny Rs. 200 per month.
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