India Ageing Report 2023

September 28, 2023

India is on the cusp of a significant demographic shift, as revealed by the India Ageing Report 2023, jointly released by the International Institute for Population Sciences and the United Nations Population Fund. By 2050, more than 20 percent of India’s population is expected to be elderly, signifying a rapid aging trend. This report sheds light on the changing age composition of India and its potential implications.

Elderly Population Surges

The report highlights that the number of elderly individuals will grow substantially in relation to the population of children aged 0-14 years. Furthermore, the working-age population (15-59 years) is projected to decline. Notably, women are expected to outlive men, leading to a larger population of older women, particularly in rural areas.

Defining the Elderly

In demographic terms, individuals aged 60 or 65 years and above are typically considered “old.” This age group is the focus of the report’s findings.

Rapid Increase in Elderly Population

The percentage of elderly individuals in India has been steadily rising in recent years, a trend that is expected to persist in the coming decades. The report notes that the decadal increase in India’s elderly population has ranged from medium to high since 1961. Although this growth was slow until 2001, it is anticipated to accelerate in the near future.

Projected Demographic Shifts

As of July 1, 2022, India had 149 million people above the age of 60, constituting 10.5 percent of the total population. By 2050, it is estimated that 20.8 percent of the population, equivalent to 347 million Indians, will be senior citizens. This proportion is expected to exceed 36 percent by the end of the century.

Global Aging Trends

The report underlines that global population growth continues alongside increased life expectancy. Factors such as rising life expectancy and declining fertility rates are causing both the proportion and number of older individuals to rise worldwide in the years to come.

Changing Gender Ratios

In 1991, there were 930 elderly women for every 1,000 elderly men in India. However, this ratio has been evolving and is projected to continue doing so. By 2031, the report estimates that there will be 951 men for every 1,078 women in the elderly age group.

Varied Life Expectancies

Life expectancy differs among Indian states, influencing the overall figures. In states like Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, women can expect to live up to four years longer than men. On average, a 60-year-old man in India can anticipate another 18.3 years of life, while women can expect 19 years.

Challenges Ahead

The report raises concerns about the growing number of widowed women due to their longer life expectancy. Addressing the needs of this demographic calls for attention to social and economic policies that promote their well-being and empowerment.

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