Elderly to constitute 20 per cent of India's population
by 2050: Report
India's population is likely to increase by 60 per cent
between 2000 and 2050 but the number of elders, who have attained 60 years of
age, will shoot up by 360 per cent and the government should start framing
policies now else its consequences are likely to take it by surprise, a UN
report said.
"India has around 100 million elderly at present and
the number is expected to increase to 323 million, constituting 20 per cent of
the total population, by 2050," the report jointly brought out by United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Help Age International said.
With an emphasis on addressing urgent concerns of elderly
person worldwide like investment in pension and quality health care, the report
said if these are not addressed promptly, the consequences of these issues are
likely to take unprepared countries by surprise.
"In order to realize their right to enjoy the
highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, elder persons must
have access to age-friendly and affordable information and services that meet
their demands," the report added.
The UNFPA in its study in India, which was conducted in
seven states, found that around one-fifth of the elderly live alone or with
spouses only in both rural and urban areas.
70 per cent of the elderly population is illiterate and
their earning capacity in the past (during their adult years) was limited and
they depended upon some productive labour work outside home for their survival.
The number of people aged 80 and above, which presently
is 9,249 will increase to 44,218 by 2050 while China will have 98,339. The
ratio of men per 100 at the age of 60 and 80 years will be 92 and 82 which will
mean women have more life expectancy.
Of the total number of elderly, about 83 per cent men
were married and only 40 per cent women, while China has 79 per cent married
men and 61 per cent married women.
According to the report, by 2050, India and China will
have about 80 per cent of the world's elderly living there, and India is likely
to pip China in the number of centenarians.
In China, there are currently 14,300 centenarians, whose
number is likely to increase to 262,500, in Japan, which already has 49,500
centenarians it is expected to increase to 617,000.
In India, the total numbers of centenarians are likely to
be between 151,000 and 620,000, the report said.
The report, which was released in Tokyo on the
International Day of Older Persons, says that of the seven billion people who
live on the planet, 893 million or 12.8 per cent are elderly.
The elderly population is likely to swell by 200 million
taking it well beyond one billion people, and this would put great strain on
welfare and medical systems.
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