Is India's Elderly Population To Be 20.8% By 2050?
India’s elderly population is projected to grow significantly in the coming decades, reaching 20.8% of the total population by 2050, according to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, presented these findings in the Rajya Sabha while responding to a question raised by MP Upendra Kushwaha.
The UNFPA’s India Ageing Report 2023 states that the proportion of people aged 60 and above was 10.1% in 2021. This figure is expected to rise to 15% by 2036 before further increasing to 20.8% by 2050. At the same time, there is a decline in the population aged below 15 years, indicating a major demographic shift.
The minister acknowledged that this transition will lead to increased pressure on healthcare systems and a growing demand for social security programmes. With fewer young people in the workforce and a rising elderly population, the country could face economic and healthcare challenges, including higher costs for geriatric care and pension schemes.
To address these concerns, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been implementing the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) since 2010-11. This initiative aims to provide accessible, affordable, and comprehensive healthcare services tailored to the ageing population.
