The Aging Population Trend in India

1. What is India’s demographic trend regarding its aging population?

By 2050, almost one in five Indians will be aged 60 or above, marking a significant increase from current figures. The India Ageing Report 2023 projects this shift, noting that life expectancy has risen sharply. The National Commission on Population estimates that the number of elderly citizens will reach 193 million by 2031.

2. Why is India’s aging crisis considered "gendered"?

The aging crisis has a deeply gendered dimension because women, who generally live longer than men, form the majority of the aging population. Despite this, they are often undercounted in economic metrics and overlooked in policy frameworks, making them particularly vulnerable. Their longer lives are at risk of being marked by poverty and dependence rather than dignity and independence.

3. What health inequities do older women in India face?

Older women experience significant health disparities, including higher risks of visual impairment, often untreated due to financial and access barriers. They also face undernutrition, chronic illness, and exclusion from welfare schemes. According to the WHO Report on Women, Ageing and Health (2007), women bear a heavier burden of conditions such as heart disease, cancers, osteoporosis, and mental illness, many of which are underdiagnosed and poorly treated due to systemic gender bias.

4. How does the lack of education and employment opportunities affect older women?

Disadvantages often begin early in life. A low female literacy rate and high school dropout rates limit access to higher education and technical fields, reducing opportunities for secure, well-paying jobs. The Global Gender Gap Report 2025 highlights that women earn only 18% of total labor income in India, and 82% of working women are in the informal sector, which provides low income and limited protections.

5. What are the issues with pension and property rights for older women?

Many women, especially in the informal sector or providing unpaid care, are excluded from social protection schemes like the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, which requires formal employment records. This leaves them with minimal financial security. Additionally, weak property rights, highlighted in ongoing Supreme Court deliberations on Section 14 of the Hindu Succession Act, further compound their vulnerability and risk of lifelong dependency.

6. What can India learn from global examples of gender-responsive aging policies?

International examples show how policies can be more gender-responsive. Argentina recognizes unpaid caregiving as a contribution qualifying women for retirement. African countries acknowledge grandmothers' roles in community care. Bolivia's Pro Mujer trains women in digital and financial literacy, expanding banking access. Policies embedding gender sensitivity—recognizing unpaid care work, widening pension access, and strengthening health services—are proven strategies for creating an inclusive "silver economy."