World Population Day 2026: Is India Prepared for an Ageing Population?

Every year on 11th July, World Population Day comes to remind us that population is not merely about numbers but it is concern about people’s health, equity and sustainable development. This is the time to not only think of the number of people but also how demography is changing and what’s their implication for the future. The theme of World Population Day 2026, “Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people- today and for the future”, reminds us that investing in young people is essential for nation’s progress. This theme also encourages us to think beyond the present, as young people today are older adults of tomorrow. If we truly want to secure future, we must begin preparing India where ageing is healthy and dignified. Today, we all know, India is recognized as the world’s most populous country and continues to benefit from a large young workforce, another equally important transition is unfolding quietly, that is the rapid growth of its elderly population. India is facing a new challenge, that is balancing the needs of a large young population while preparing for a rapidly ageing society. Understanding this transition is essential because today’s demographic advantage will shape tomorrow’s public health priorities. With an estimate of 1.46 billion population, India is considered as one of the largest working age populations in the world. However, every demographic dividend has an expiry date. As fertility declines and life expectancy increases, India’s age structure is steadily shifting towards an older population. One of the most significant demographic achievements of Independent India has been steady decline in Total Fertility Rate (TFR), it has fallen below 2, below the replacement level of 2.1 in many states. The effect of this demographic transition is already becoming visible. India is ageing at a pace never witnessed before. The number of people aged 60 years and above is projected to rise from about 100 million in 2011 to nearly 230 millions by 2036, accounting for around 15% of country’s population. In simple terms, nearly one in every seven Indians will be a senior citizen. This is no longer a distant possibility, it is a reality that is steadily unfolding before us. This demographic shift in India’s population calls for a special focus over elderly health and social policies. The findings from Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), conducted under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has highlighted this reality. According to LASI, elderly population constitute 12% of India’s population currently and this number is expected to reach nearly 319 million by 2050, that is growth at the annual rate of 3% approximately. These findings reflect that population ageing is no longer future concern but an emerging public health priority. As the number older adults continues to rise, so do the challenges associated with ageing. Preparation of an ageing society to cope this demographic shift starts with acknowledging this fact. With advancing age, older adults are at risk of developing chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancers, osteoporosis, arthritis, dementia and stroke. In addition, problems like falls, frailty, hearing and vision impairment, mental health disorder and social isolation further compromise their quality of life. Beyond health, ageing also presents the economic challenges. Insufficient pensions, financial dependency, income insecurity and difficulties in finding post retirement employment, often make older adults economically vulnerable. Equally concerning are social challenges. Loneliness, neglect, discrimination and elder abuse continue to affect many senior citizens, this often remain unnoticed within families and communities. Many of us may not have experienced these challenges personally, but almost everyone has witnessed them in someone around us. So,

the real question, is not whether India is ageing, it undoubtedly is. The question is whether we are prepared for it. India has an opportunity to transform this demographic transition into one of its greatest development achievements. Alongside, continued investment in improving education, employment opportunities, skill development and reproductive health services for its young population, equal attention must now be directed towards healthy and active ageing. Strengthening geriatric healthcare should be national priority. Dedicated geriatric clinics should be available at District hospitals, medical colleges need expanded geriatric medicine departments, more specialist of geriatric medicine and healthcare professionals must be well trained to identify and manage age related conditions. Community based rehabilitation, physiotherapy and effective palliative care should be part of our healthcare system. We need to focus on home-based care and caregiver support services too. These services can help older people to recover and live better at home. Several initiatives have been taken by the Government of India to ensure older adults to live dignified ageing. Some of them include the Atal Pension Yojana, Atal Vayo Abhuday Yojana, Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, National Programme for Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE), Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, the Elderline helpline which can be reached at 14567 and online portals like SAGE and SACRED. The Senior Citizen’s Welfare Fund (SCWF)is also part of this. It is very important that older population should know about these initiatives. Their true impact will depend not only on policy design but on effective implementation, so that every eligible older adult can benefit from them. India’s demography is no longer defined only by its youth, it is increasingly shaped by its ageing population. On this day, let us recognize that preparing for an ageing society is not merely a healthcare responsibility but social, economic and developmental imperative. Building age-friendly India today is an investment in the future we all hope to share – one where today’s young people can age with dignity, health and security.

This article was written by:

Dr. Rukhsar Khan
MBBS, MD Community Medicine
Senior Resident, Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, CG