Daily Current Affairs : 28-September-2023

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), India, recently unveiled its 2023 India Ageing Report, shedding light on crucial aspects of the country’s demographic landscape. This report presents significant findings, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities posed by India’s rapidly growing elderly population.

Rapid Growth and Changing Demographics
  • Decadal Growth: India’s elderly population is estimated to grow by 41%, reaching over 20% of the total population by 2050. By 2046, the elderly population is projected to surpass the number of children (aged up to 15), indicating a significant demographic shift.
  • Gender Disparities: The report highlights a notable rise in the population of people aged 80 and above, especially women, with a 279% growth expected between 2022 and 2050. This trend raises concerns about the well-being of widowed and highly dependent elderly women.
Socioeconomic Challenges
  • Poverty Among the Elderly: More than 40% of the elderly in India belong to the poorest wealth quintile, and approximately 18.7% live without any income. This alarming poverty rate among the elderly affects their quality of life and access to healthcare services.
Gender Disparities in Life Expectancy
  • Life Expectancy Discrepancies: Women generally have a higher life expectancy at the ages of 60 and 80 compared to men. However, significant variations exist across states and union territories. For instance, in states like Himachal Pradesh and Kerala, women have a life expectancy of 23 and 22 years at the age of 60, respectively, highlighting regional disparities in healthcare and living conditions.
Changing Sex Ratios and Regional Variances
  • Sex Ratio Trends: The sex ratio among the elderly has been steadily climbing since 1991, indicating an increase in the number of females per 1,000 males. However, regional variations persist, with certain areas, especially in central India, still showing imbalanced sex ratios among the elderly.
Inter-State Variations and Demographic Transition
  • Demographic Transition: There are significant inter-state variations in the levels and growth of the elderly population, reflecting different stages and paces of demographic transition. Southern states and select northern states such as Himachal Pradesh and Punjab have a higher share of the elderly population, whereas states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, with higher fertility rates, lag in demographic transition.
UNFPA’s Role in Addressing Challenges

The UNFPA plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenges outlined in the report. Through its initiatives, the organization focuses on:

  • Developing national healthcare strategies and protocols to improve elderly care.
  • Increasing access to birth control and reproductive health services for women.
  • Leading campaigns against child marriage, gender-based violence, obstetric fistula, and female genital mutilation.
Unveiling India's Ageing Landscape: What You Should Know
Courtesy:Adda247

Important Points:

  • Rapid Growth and Changing Demographics:
    • Elderly population to grow by 41% in India.
    • Projected to surpass the number of children by 2046.
  • Socioeconomic Challenges:
    • Over 40% of elderly in India in the poorest wealth quintile.
    • 18.7% live without any income, impacting quality of life and healthcare access.
  • Gender Disparities in Life Expectancy:
    • Women generally have higher life expectancy at 60 and 80 compared to men.
    • Significant regional disparities exist; for example, women in Himachal Pradesh and Kerala have higher life expectancy compared to the national average.
  • Changing Sex Ratios and Regional Variances:
    • Sex ratio among the elderly increasing steadily since 1991.
    • Imbalanced sex ratios among the elderly in certain regions, especially in central India.
  • Inter-State Variations and Demographic Transition:
    • Significant differences in elderly population levels and growth across states.
    • Southern states and select northern states have higher elderly population, while states with higher fertility rates lag in demographic transition.
  • UNFPA’s Role in Addressing Challenges:
    • UNFPA focuses on developing healthcare strategies for the elderly.
    • Works to increase access to birth control and reproductive health services for women.
    • Leads campaigns against child marriage, gender-based violence, obstetric fistula, and female genital mutilation.
Why In News

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), India, has recently unveiled its highly anticipated 2023 India Ageing Report. This comprehensive study offers valuable insights into India’s demographic landscape, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities posed by an aging population. The report not only highlights the social and economic implications but also presents innovative solutions to address the evolving needs of the elderly. With its meticulous research and thoughtful recommendations, the 2023 India Ageing Report serves as a crucial resource for policymakers, researchers, and organizations striving to create a more inclusive and sustainable future for India’s aging population

MCQs about Unveiling India’s Ageing Landscape

  1. Which region in India shows significant inter-state variations in the levels and growth of the elderly population?
    A. Northern States
    B. Western India
    C. Central India
    D. Southern States
  2. What is one of the key focus areas of UNFPA’s initiatives?
    A. Wildlife Conservation
    B. Elderly Care
    C. Improving Reproductive Health
    D. Space Exploration
  3. Which state demonstrates a higher life expectancy for women at the age of 60 compared to men?
    A. Rajasthan
    B. Haryana
    C. Himachal Pradesh
    D. Gujarat

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