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While much is said about the rising numbers of youngsters in India, and the consequent benefits from the oft-touted demographic dividend, a story that is often neglected is the shift in demographics at the other end of the spectrum. I refer to the rise in the numbers of senior citizens and their needs in a fast urbanizing India.
While we continue to hold on to a picture of the traditional Indian family where elders are respected in their role as grandparents, the reality is quite different. First, consider the numbers:
Government statistics from 2016 reveal that senior citizens (that is those over 60 years) now form 8.6% of India's 121-Crore population. Further, in the first decade of this century, this number has grown over 35.5% - from 7.6 Crores in 2001 to 10.3 Crores in 2011. Compare this with the fact that during this period, India's population grew at 17.7 %. Some more data is revealing: the percentage of male senior citizens is 8.2% (that is, 5.11 Crores) & the number for women is 9% (5.28 Crores).
The above figures forebode both a challenge and an opportunity. First, the bad news. Consider the social challenges of this number. A large chunk of this is in the rural sector where medical & other facilities for the aged is far from satisfactory. To compound this is the pressure on government resources. A case in point: India's largest Public Sector employer is Indian Railways whose Pension expenditure is estimated to be over Rs. 46K Crores during the current fiscal. A loss-making enterprise already, this figure will burgeon further in the coming decade. Now, visualize the mind-boggling scenario for all Public Sector units put together (both for States & the Centre) given the socio-economic reality of our political system!
There couldn't be a greater call for action than these numbers as there is an urgent need to create a social security net in a country where pensions are rare, particularly in the rural sector.
Interestingly, given the social skew of India's population growth rate, the States with the higher share of ageing population are Kerala (12.6%), Goa (11.2%), Tamil Nadu (10.4%), Punjab (10.3%) and Himachal Pradesh (10.2%) while the North-Eastern states have the lowest share of ageing populations.
The need to be forearmed to meet this scenario cannot be over-stated. The reality of urbanization and the rapid disintegration of traditional family & societal norms cannot be denied.
From a macro perspective India still has a large & young population who can fuel the economic engine so that the concerns faced by economies with aging population (be it Japan or European countries) are not evident yet. However, the global trends are clear: with economic growth & longer life span, fertility rates begin to dip.
These concerns have led to the societal changes globally. Consider the fact that November 1 each year is celebrated as the International Day of Older Persons. While the concerns of the aged are highlighted in many ways, one of the issues that is surfacing today is 'elder abuse', a term that masks the sad reality of many societies where the aged are considered unproductive & a burden to a household caught in the stranglehold of their daily existential battles. No, this is not a western societal ailment - India too has many reported cases of neglect & domestic violence against the elderly, be it physical, financial or psychological.
As in many other parts of the world, the Indian Government too has passed legislation on this matter, apart from this being part of the Directive Principles of the constitution. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen Act 2007 (popularly known as The Senior Citizens Act) has provided for various safe guards for the elderly, though this is not widely known.
On the flip side, there are certain opportunities that are available to the economy with the presence of the elderly. The global theme of this year's International Day of Older Persons was 'Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society', a clear indication that productive channelization of this segment's abilities can lead to huge pay-offs for society.
Combined with this is the rise of this section as a consumer segment waiting to be tapped. The Housing sector has understood this need well and communities are springing up across India catering to the urban middle-class (and some for the uber-rich too) who wish to age with grace in a community that they can call their own. Some of these centres are tucked away from the bustle of the city, providing good air & pure water (both in acute short supply in the modern metropolis), and are specially designed to meet the health requirements of this special interest group. Health-care firms (and other businesses too) have partnered with Builders to create an environment conducive to their needs.
If the old-age home above was once considered a western phenomenon, then you are mistaken. Smart Builders have spotted this as an unserved market & are packaging a life-style product that has a special appeal to the nuclear urban family that can make a guilt-free choice for their aging parents who wish to be close to them - but yet retain their autonomy and not become impositions on their children. Also, the availability of specialised medical attention for both specialised & general care in such settings is also proving to be a boon to those not equipped to handle the stress of managing an aging parent.
Emotional choices of the past are being replaced with rational decisions at home, and Builders testify that it is quite normal to find that urban professionals in their early fifties are coming to sign up for such apartments with their friends as groups of 5 to 6 families who wish to spend their sunset years together in a novel community.
Is this going to be more prevalent? I believe you will see more of this in the coming days as urban societies change and retiring in Haridwar (or other such pilgrim centres) will not be the only option at hand, unlike the past.
Yes, there are demographic shifts that are happening and if we study the trends carefully, we can address the challenges & opportunities that are emerging as a consequence.
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