India Ageing Report 2023

India Ageing Report 2023

News: The India Ageing Report 2023 has been released y by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS).

What is India Ageing Report 2023?
• India Ageing Report 2023 represents a thorough review of the living conditions and welfare of older individuals in India.
• It harnesses the most current data sourced from reputable outlets, including the Longitudinal Ageing Survey in India (LASI) 2017–18, the Census of India, Population Projections by the Government of India (2011–2036), and the World Population Prospects 2022 by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The report stands as a precious asset for policymakers, academics, program administrators, and all parties invested in elder care

Key Findings:
• By 2050, the share of elderly individuals in the total population is expected to double, reaching over 20%.
• It is anticipated that by 2046, the elderly population will surpass the population of children (aged up to 15) in India.
• More than 40% of the elderly in India are in the poorest wealth quintile, and about 18.7% of them live without an income. This level of poverty may negatively impact their quality of life and healthcare utilization.
• Predominance of widowed and highly dependent very old women.
• The sex ratio among the elderly has been increasing since 1991, indicating more elderly women than men.
• Poverty among the elderly is often gendered, with older women more likely to be widowed, living alone, without income, and dependent on family support.

Key Recommendations:
• Special focus on older persons in terms of disaster preparedness plans made henceforth.
• Include questions relating to relevant and emerging issues regarding older persons in data collection drives (National sample survey, National family health survey, Census)
• Increase awareness about schemes benefiting elderly persons.
• Create elderly self-help groups

Government initiatives for elderly in India
Atal Vayo Abhudaya Yojana (AVYAY) – Umbrella scheme of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that takes care of the top 4 needs of Senior citizens in India – Financial security, food, healthcare and human interactions.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana – To provide physical aids and assisted living devices to senior citizens.
• Livelihood and skilling initiatives for senior citizens – SACRED Portal (Brings employment seekers and employment providers together) and SAGE Portal (It provides financial assistance to entrepreneurs for providing solutions to the problems of elderly)
• Under the companies act, setting up old age homes, day care centres and other facilities for senior citizens are approved items for CSR funding.

Other initiatives
• National helpline for Senior Citizens (14567)
• Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan – Universal accessibility for elderly and others.
• Atal Pension Yojana – Guaranteed monthly pension of Rs. 1000-5000 at the age of 60 years.
• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
• Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana – Insurance cum pension scheme which provides assured 8% per annum payable monthly for 10 years.

National Social Assistance programme (NSAP)
• Eligible elderly, widows, and disabled persons belonging to Below poverty line are provided financial assistance ranging from Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 per month