Challenges and Implications of India's Aging Population: Insights from the India Ageing Report 2023
The India Ageing Report 2023 outlines the growing elderly population in India and its implications. By 2050, over 20% of the population will be aged 60 or above, reflecting increasing life expectancy and declining fertility rates. This demographic shift presents challenges for health, economic security, and social care, especially as a significant portion of the elderly live in poverty and many reside in rural areas. Women are expected to outlive men, raising concerns about the care of widowed women. There are regional differences in aging patterns, with southern states having a higher elderly population. The report emphasizes the need for improved geriatric care and better access to existing support schemes.
Reports highlights key trends about India's aging population and the implications for health, economy, and society. Some key facts are:
1. Rapid Aging: By 2050, over 20% of India's population will be aged 60 or above, doubling from 10.5% in 2022. This demographic shift will lead to 34.7 crore elderly citizens by 2050.
2. Life Expectancy: Elderly women will outlive men, with women expected to live 19 years after turning 60, compared to men at 17.5 years.
3. Economic Disparities: More than two-fifths of the elderly are in the poorest wealth quintile, with 18.7% having no income. A large number of elderly reside in rural areas and face economic deprivation.
4. Gender Imbalance: The number of elderly women will surpass men significantly by 2031, leading to concerns regarding the care and support of widowed women.
5. Regional Variations: Southern states like Kerala have a higher share of elderly populations, while northern states with higher fertility rates (e.g., Bihar, Uttar Pradesh) will still see growth but remain below the national average by 2036.
6. Health and Care Needs: There is an urgent need for better geriatric care, social security measures, and awareness of existing schemes, as many elderly citizens are either unaware of or unable to access them.
To Overcome these challenges, The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a significant expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), offering health coverage to senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income. This initiative aims to benefit 4.5 crore families, with 6 crore senior citizens receiving ₹5 lakh per year in free health insurance coverage.
Key points include:
- Health Coverage for All: All senior citizens aged 70+ are eligible for the scheme, with a unique card for access. Those already in AB PM-JAY will get an additional ₹5 lakh cover per year, separate from other family members under 70.
- Integration of Existing Schemes: Senior citizens enrolled in other public health schemes, like CGHS, ECHS, or Ayushman CAPF, can either retain their current coverage or opt for AB PM-JAY.
-Global Scale: AB PM-JAY is the largest publicly funded health scheme in the world, covering 12.34 crore families and providing ₹5 lakh per family for hospitalizations. The scheme has seen over 7.37 crore hospital admissions, benefiting citizens by more than ₹1 lakh crore.
- Expansion History: Since its launch, the scheme has expanded from covering the bottom 40% of India’s population to additional groups, including 37 lakh ASHA and Anganwadi workers.
This expansion marks a major step in ensuring healthcare access for the elderly, supporting their well-being on a national scale.
Credit: GOI different Websites, The Hindu & TOI