The UN defines a country as ‘ageing’ where the proportion of people over 60 reaches seven percent. India has already exceeded this and the figure is likely to reach 12.6% by 2025.

 Ageing, an inescapable reality of the human existence on planet earth, plays a crucial role in the global demographic transition. According to projections by the UN Population Division, there will be two elderly persons for every child in the world by2050. This implies that those aged 60 years and above, which currently constitute less than 20% of the population will account for 32% of the population by 2050.

With a population of over 1.2 billion, India is the second most populous country in the world. Currently, the 65+ population accounts for 5% of India’s national population, translating into roughly 56 million people. By 2050, these numbers are projected to climb to nearly 14% or approximately 240 million people. This increase reflects an upward trend in life expectancy: the life expectancy of an Indian born in 1950 was 37 years; today it stands at 69 years, and by 2050 it is projected to increase to 76 years,

About 7.6% of India’s population is above 60 years old. But now this traditional pattern is shifting. Arguably, India’s single most stunning achievement during the last century has been the increase in longevity. It took India just 25 years. Improvements in public health and medical services leading to control of infectious diseases have resulted in a decrease in mortality and a longer life span. But a fast rise in the aged population adds to the socioeconomic challenges that face India, like no income, no housing, no medical care, and no safety. This doesn’t doubt the government’s intention to meet the challenges of an ageing population head on. India is committed to the basic principles of the ‘Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing:’ financial security, health care, shelter and protection against abuse and exploitation.