India Ageing Report 2023

29 Sep India Ageing Report 2023

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs”, and the Topic details “India Ageing Report 2023”. This Topic has relevance in the “Social Issues” section of the UPSC CSE exam.

For Prelims:

What is India Ageing Report, 2023?

For Mains:

GS2: Social Issues

Why in the news?

Recently, the “India Ageing Report 2023,” co-authored by the United Nations Population Fund, India, in partnership with the International Institute for Population Sciences, was released.

About the Report:

• The report provides valuable insights into the current situation of population ageing in India, including the demographic and socio-economic status of the elderly population.
• It examines the policies and institutional mechanisms in place to address the needs of the elderly, as well as community efforts and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• The analysis is based on data from the Longitudinal Ageing Survey in India (LASI) conducted in 2017-2018.

Key Findings of the Report:

• The Aging Trend: A Steady Rise
  • The India Ageing Report 2023 highlights the consistent growth of India’s elderly population since 1961. While the increase was slow until 2001, it is expected to accelerate significantly in the future.
  • The report suggests that by the end of the century, the elderly population could make up over 36% of the total population.
• Gender Disparities: Longer Lives for Women
  • The India Ageing Report identifies a growing disparity in life expectancy between men and women in India. In 1991, the ratio was 930 elderly women per 1,000 elderly men.
  • However, the report predicts a significant shift by 2031, with 951 men for every 1,078 women.
• Low Awareness of Social Welfare Schemes Among Elderly
  • The report highlights that the elderly population in India has low awareness about the social welfare schemes intended for them.
  • For instance, only 55% of the elderly are aware of the old-age pension scheme (IGNOAPS); 44% of the widow pension scheme (IGNWPS); and only 12% are aware of the Annapurna Scheme.
• Disparity in Awareness
  • The report reveals disparities in awareness of social security schemes not only between rural and urban areas but also across States.
  • Additionally, there is minimal awareness regarding the MWPSC (Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens) Act among the elderly, with under 12% having any knowledge of it.
• Low Utilization of Welfare Schemes
  • The report finds low utilization of social security schemes, with only 30% of the rural elderly from below-poverty-line (BPL) households receiving benefits from IGNOAPS and only 24% of elderly BPL widows receiving widow pensions. The utilization of the Annapurna scheme is remarkably low across all sections of the elderly.
• Statewide Disparity in Utilization
  • There is a noticeable disparity across States concerning the utilization of welfare schemes.
  • The highest coverage of IGNWPS was found in Andhra Pradesh, with about 51% of widowed elderly receiving pensions, followed by Himachal Pradesh and Telangana with around 41% coverage.
• Accessibility Challenge for Older Persons with Disabilities
  • According to the report, access to social security schemes for older persons with disability is significantly lesser.
  • For example, only around 32% of the elderly with hearing and vision impairments availed the social insurance scheme.
• Administrative Hurdles
  • Extensive documentation and multiple administrative procedures are cited as key reasons for the elderly not availing the welfare schemes.
  • These procedural requirements often pose challenges due to physical infirmities and lack of technical understanding among the elderly population.

Additional Information:

United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing: 2020–2030

• The United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) represents a worldwide partnership that aligns with the final decade of the SDGs.
• This initiative unites governments, civil society, international organizations, professionals, academia, the media, and the private sector with the shared goal of enhancing the well-being of older individuals, their families, and the communities they inhabit.

International Day of Older Persons

• The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1st each year to raise awareness about the issues faced by older individuals and to celebrate their contributions to society.
• It aims to promote healthy aging, emphasize the rights of older persons, and encourage society to adopt policies that support their well-being.

Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 29th Sep 2023 pdf

Q.1 Consider the following statements regarding the “India Ageing Report 2023”:

1. The report is primarily based on data from the Longitudinal Ageing Survey in India (LASI) conducted in 2017-2018.
2. The report predicts that by the end of the century, the elderly population in India could constitute over 50% of the total population.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Check Answer

Q.2 Consider the following statements:

1. The United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing spans from 2020 to 2030.
2. This initiative is not aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
3. International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1st each year.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 1 and 2

Check Answer

Q3. Discuss the demographic and socio-economic aspects of India’s elderly population as highlighted in a recent report. Evaluate the challenges faced by the elderly in accessing social welfare schemes and analyze the potential solutions to address these issues.

Gaurav N