Why India must urgently strengthen its policies for an ageing population

By Bharat Dogra 

A quiet but far-reaching demographic transformation is reshaping much of the world. As life expectancy rises and birth rates fall, societies are witnessing a rapid increase in the proportion of older people. This shift has profound implications for public policy, and the need to strengthen frameworks for healthy and secure ageing has never been more urgent. India is among the countries where these pressures will intensify most sharply in the coming decades.

Global life expectancy at birth has risen from 46 years in 1950 to over 70 years in 2023. As a result, the share of people aged 60 and above is growing steadily. By 2050, this population is projected to reach 2.1 billion—around 21 per cent of the world’s total. India mirrors these trends, though the scale of the transition is far larger. The 2011 Census recorded 103 million people over the age of 60, comprising 8.6 per cent of the population. Projections indicate that by 2050 this figure will rise to 319 million, or 19.5 per cent. The number of people aged 75 and above is expected to grow even faster, increasing by an estimated 340 per cent between 2011 and 2050.

Such dramatic demographic changes place new responsibilities on governments and communities. Policies must expand beyond basic welfare and begin to prioritise healthy and dignified ageing. The World Health Organization has designated 2021–2030 as the “Decade of Healthy Ageing”, an effort to coordinate global action to improve the quality of life of older people. The WHO’s ICOPE (Integrated Care for Older People) model emphasises strengthening the intrinsic capacities of older adults through improved nutrition, physical activity, timely access to glasses, hearing aids, cataract surgeries, mobility aids, and opportunities for mental stimulation and social interaction. These interventions—simple, preventive, and often low-cost—can significantly improve health outcomes. Avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and other intoxicants is similarly essential.

While certain broad principles apply across countries, effective policy must also reflect regional conditions. In the global south, older people from poorer households often face severe challenges in accessing food, healthcare, and social support. In India, these issues are amplified by scale. Although measures like the provision of 5 kg of food grains per individual in poor households have been helpful, pension amounts remain inadequate even with state-level additions. Moving towards universal and adequate pensions, a long-standing demand of social movements, remains essential.

Policy improvements must also be complemented by decentralised, community-based initiatives that respond to local realities. These efforts can provide practical support and generate insights that shape better policy. A recent example is “Prabal Yatra”, an initiative of ARTH, a voluntary organisation working in about 100 villages across seven blocks of South Rajasthan. Even within a relatively short time, this initiative has shown that a wellness-centred approach—one that reduces disease and injury, promotes physical and mental well-being, and avoids unnecessary medicalisation—can yield encouraging results.

Regular interaction between community workers, older people, and other residents creates space for learning and problem-solving. Solutions that enjoy broad community support often emerge through such engagement. These insights are invaluable for designing and scaling policies that reflect real needs. They highlight, for instance, situations in which older people struggle to access adequate nutrition—an issue that can prompt targeted state interventions.

As India moves deeper into an ageing future, investing in stronger policy frameworks and grassroots innovations is not merely desirable but essential. A combination of universal supports, community-based care, and responsive local planning can help ensure that older adults live with dignity, good health, and meaningful participation in society.

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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Protecting Earth for Children, When the Two Streams Met, Navjeevan, and A Day in 2071