The National Policy of Older Persons of 1999 outlined the fact that improved life expectancy has contributed to an increase in the number of persons 60+ from only 12 million persons in
Population projections for 1996-2016 indicate that the 100 million mark is expected to be reached in 2013. Projections beyond 2016 made by the United Nations (1996 Revision) has indicated that
The percentage of persons 60+ in the total population has seen a steady rise from 5.1% in 1901 to 6.8 % in 1991. It is expected to reach 8.9 % in 2016. Projections beyond 2016 made by United Nations (1996 Revision) has indicated that 21% of the Indian population will be 60+ by 2050.
The National Policy reiterated that growth rate on a large demographic base implies a much larger increase in numbers. This will be the case in the coming years. The decade 2001-11 is expected to witness an increase of 25 million persons 60+ which is equivalent to the total population of persons 60+ in 1961.
The twenty five years period 1991 to 2016 will witness an increase of 55.4 million persons 60+ which is nearly the same as the population of persons 60+ in 1991. In other words, in a twenty five years period starting from 1991 the population 60+ will nearly double itself.
Sixty three percent of the population in 1991 (36 million) is in the age group 60-69 years, often referred to as ‘young old’ or ‘not so old’ while 11 percent (6 million) is in the age group 80 years and over i.e., in the ‘older old’ or ‘very old’ category.
In 2016, the percentage in these age groups will be almost the same, but the numbers are expected to be 69 million and 11 million respectively. In other words, close to six tenths of population 60-69 years can be expected to be in reasonably good physical and mental health, free of serious disability and capable leading an active life. About one third of the population 70-79 years can also be expected to be fit for a reasonably active life. This is indicative of the huge reserve of human resource.
source: Dignity Foundation, Mumbai