Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction

• • Define Population Ageing: Briefly define population ageing, linking it to the demographic transition, which results in longer life expectancies and declining fertility rates.
  • Context of India: Set the context of India by mentioning the current demographic trends and how these contribute to population ageing.

2. Analysis of Implications of Population Ageing in India

• • Economic Implications:
    • Workforce Decline: A shrinking working-age population leads to labor shortages and lower productivity.
    • Pension and Social Security Systems: Increasing dependency ratio leads to higher pressure on pension systems and social welfare schemes.
    • Healthcare Costs: Elderly population tends to require more healthcare, which could strain India’s underfunded healthcare infrastructure.
    • Example: Share facts like the projected decline in the working-age population by 2030, leading to slower economic growth.
  • Social Implications:
    • Intergenerational Conflicts: Increasing dependency of the elderly on the working-age population might strain family structures and lead to potential intergenerational conflicts.
    • Changing Family Dynamics: As family sizes shrink, the traditional family support system may weaken, especially in rural areas.
    • Example: India’s fertility rate is falling (from 5.2 in 1970 to 2.2 in 2021).
  • Healthcare and Wellbeing:
    • Health Burden: Older adults often face chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis, adding to the burden on healthcare infrastructure.
    • Life Expectancy: The rising life expectancy (from 45.6 years in 1970 to 70.42 years in 2022) could lead to longer periods of morbidity in old age.
  • Urbanization and Migration:
    • Migration Trends: Younger populations moving to cities for employment leave elderly family members in rural areas, possibly leading to loneliness and neglect.
    • Example: According to the 2011 Census, India had over 104 million elderly persons, with an increasing proportion in rural areas.

3. Measures to Address the Challenges of Population Ageing

• • Policy and Institutional Measures:
    • Pension Reforms: Develop and expand social security systems to cover elderly citizens more effectively.
    • Examples: Expand the coverage of the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PMSYM) scheme for the unorganized sector.
    • Healthcare Access and Affordability: Strengthen public healthcare systems and promote elderly-friendly healthcare services.
    • Example: The Ayushman Bharat Scheme can be expanded to include better healthcare provisions for the elderly.
  • Promotion of Active Ageing:
    • Employment Opportunities: Promote flexible work hours, part-time employment, and work-from-home opportunities for the elderly.
    • Skill Development: Implement skill training programs for elderly people to make them productive even in old age.
    • Example: National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) could introduce specialized programs for senior citizens.
  • Family Support and Social Networks:
    • Support for Caregiving: Introduce caregiver allowances, support for home-based care, and training for family members who care for the elderly.
    • Strengthening Community Support Systems: Foster community-based programs that help elderly people remain socially engaged and receive assistance.
    • Example: Programs like “Rural Aging Assistance” can be developed by local government authorities.
  • Infrastructure Development:
    • Age-Friendly Cities: Encourage the development of urban spaces with senior citizen-friendly infrastructure—parks, transport systems, and homes designed for elderly accessibility.
    • Example: Cities like Kochi have started pilot programs for age-friendly urban development.
  • Public Awareness and Social Change:
    • Public Awareness Campaigns: Promote the importance of elderly care and intergenerational bonding through media and educational initiatives.
    • Cultural Shifts: Encourage a societal shift toward respecting and valuing the elderly, maintaining the traditional role of the family in caregiving.

Conclusion

• • Reiterate the inevitability of population ageing and its challenges.
  • Call to Action: Emphasize the need for proactive planning by both government and society to create an inclusive environment for the elderly.

Relevant Facts with Sources

1. Demographic Data:
   • India’s life expectancy has increased from 45.6 years in 1970 to 70.42 years in 2022.
   • India’s fertility rate has fallen from 5.2 in 1970 to 2.2 in 2021.
   • The elderly population in India (aged 60 and above) was 104 million in 2011, projected to reach 194 million by 2031.
   • By 2030, India is expected to experience a decline in the working-age population, creating a 1.5 million worker shortfall.
2. Economic and Healthcare:
   • By 2050, the elderly population in India will account for nearly 20% of the total population.
   • Healthcare costs for elderly people, especially for chronic conditions, are expected to rise by 8-10% annually over the next decade.
3. Social and Welfare:
   • In 2011, approximately 30% of elderly people in rural India lived without any form of financial support.
   • The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PMSYM) scheme aims to provide pension benefits to unorganized sector workers above 60 years of age, but its coverage is still limited.
4. Infrastructure Development:
   • Kochi city has launched a pilot project to develop an age-friendly infrastructure that includes elderly-friendly public transport and housing options.