Ageing world: Elderly population expected to double over the next 3 decades; are our policies mature enough to address it?

Subject: Geography

Section: Geomorphology

Context:

The number of persons aged 65 years or older worldwide is expected to double over the next three decades, according to a new report by the United Nations (UN).
The elderly population will reach 1.6 billion in 2050, accounting for more than 16 per cent of the global population.

About the Report:

Report highlights:

North Africa, West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are expected to experience the fastest growth in the number of older people over the next three decades, while Europe and North America combined now have the highest share of older persons.
In countries with available data, the number of years lived in good health has climbed, accounting for most of the increase in years lived overall.
The report highlighted two sets of actions to make societies accommodative of people of all ages.

The first set can be employed throughout people’s lifetimes to promote labour market participation, increase productivity, uphold good health and prevent poverty.
The second set consists of policies to reduce inequality and promote economic security at older ages in a fiscally sustainable manner, considering pensions and health care.

Inequality in ageing:

In almost all societies, women live longer than men on average and the rich longer than the poor.
Reasons include:
- Poor nutrition
- Exposure to environmental and occupational hazards
- Limited income and education
Inequalities between men and women persist into old age.
- Economically, women’s lower levels of formal labour market participation, shorter working lives and lower wages during working years lead to more economic insecurity in later life.
In more developed regions, public transfer systems, including pensions and health care, provide over two-thirds of the consumption by older persons.
In less developed regions, older persons tend to work longer and rely more on accumulated assets or family assistance.

From Active ageing to Healthy ageing by World Health Organisation:

The World Health Organization and the UN have designated 2021-2030 as the Decade of Healthy Aging, building on the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The demand for long-term care is soaring in many countries as the population of older persons grows larger, especially at ages 80 and above.
Public spending in most countries has not been sufficient to cover the growing demand for long-term care.

Indian scenario:

According to the National Commission on Population, the share of the elderly in India’s population, close to 9% in 2011, is growing fast and may reach 18% by 2036.
If India is to ensure a decent quality of life for the elderly in the near future, planning and providing for it must begin today.
Life expectancy in India has more than doubled since Independence from around 32 years in the late 1940s to 70 years or so today.
Many countries have done even better, but this is still a historical achievement.

National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP):

Under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) scheme, India has important schemes of non-contributory pensions for the elderly, widowed women and disabled persons.
It is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.

What are the Other Related Schemes?

Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY):

It is a Pension Scheme announced by the Government of India exclusively for senior citizens aged 60 years and above.
The scheme is now extended up to 2023 for a further period of three years beyond 2020.

Integrated Program for Older Persons (IPOP):

The main goal of this policy is to improve the quality of life of senior citizens.
This is done by providing them with various basic amenities such as food, shelter, medical care, and even entertainment opportunities.

Rashtriya Vayoshree Yojana:

It is a central sector scheme funded by the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund. The fund was notified in the year 2016.
All unclaimed amounts from small savings accounts, PPF and EPF are transferred to this fund.
It aims to provide aids and assistive living devices to senior citizens belonging tothe Below Poverty Line (BPL) category who suffer from age-related disabilities such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and locomotor disabilities.

SAMPANN Project:

It was launched in 2018. It is a seamless online pension processing and payment system for Department of Telecommunications pensioners.
It provides direct credit of pension into the bank accounts of pensioners.

SACRED Portal for Elderly:

The portal was developed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Citizens above 60 years of age can register on the portal and find jobs and work opportunities.

Elder Line: Toll-Free Number for Elderly:

It provides information, guidance, and emotional support – particularly on pension, medical and legal issues – besides immediate assistance in cases of abuse.
It is devised to provide all senior citizens, or their well-wishers, with ONE platform across the country to connect and share their concerns and get information and guidance on problems that they face on a day-to-day basis.

SAGE (Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine) Initiative:

It is a “one-stop access” to elderly care products and services by credible start-ups.
It has been launched with a view to help such persons who are interested in entrepreneurship in the field of providing services for elderly care.