IndiahasnowovertakenChinatobecometheworld'smostpopulousnation. And,that could have well happened sometimelast yearitself, feelexperts. SouthAsiaalreadyhadalargerpopulation around1.8billionpeople thanChinaforatleastadozenyearsandhadtheshiftfromBritishrulenot divided the landscape into India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, an undivided India’spopulationwouldhavealreadyexceededChina’slongback.
Interestingly,itmaybenotedthatIndiahasnowachievedafertilityrateof twochildrenperwoman,demonstratingthatintendeddropsinfertilitycan beachievedwithoutresortingtosevereanddraconianstatemeasuressuch asChina’sone-childpolicy.
Whiletwo-thirdofIndiansareunder35years,thenation'spopulationwill continue to grow for a while. Also, the decline in fertility rate is not distributedevenlyacrossIndia’sstates.InIndia’spopulousHindi-speaking northern states ofUttar Pradesh andBihar, the fertility rates are 2.35 and 2.98 per woman respectively, whereas in several Southern states, the fertilityratestandsbelowthe2.1childrenperwoman-themandatorylimit neededforapopulationtoreplaceitself.
Also,acrossreligious,linguistic,andethnicgroups,contrarytobeliefsthat somegroupshavesignificantlyhigherbirthratesthanothergroups,fertility hasbeendropping.Between1992and2005,theMuslimbirthratedropped from 4.4 to 2.6, whereas during the same period, the Hindu birth rate droppedfrom3.3to2.1childrenperwoman.
Since1881,Indiahasheldacensuseverytenyears.However,thelastcensus washeldin2011,asthe2021censuswaspushedbackduetotheCOVID-19 pandemic. Having notched the status of being the world's most populous, withovertwo-thirdsofIndia'spopulationbeingofworkingage,Indiamust seize this opportunity to grow. Despite the unemployment, India is becomingamanufacturer'shubasmostvibrantindustrieslikecellphones andsemiconductorsoptingforthecountryputtingIndiaontracktobecome thethird-largesteconomyintheworldbytheendofthedecade.
For the first time, on geopolitical positions, India has held on to an independentstanceinsteadofbackingeithertheWestorRussiaduringthe Ukraine conflict, which won praise even in Pakistan for pursuing an independent policy.Now,mostIndiansfeel theircountry should follow its owninterestsandthatothermajorpowersarerivals.Thisattitudeissetto bemorepronouncedinthenextdecadeasIndiacontinuestoimplementits ownagenda.
The most populous country in the world, with one of the world’s largest economiesandmilitaries,Indiawillpushforitsinterests,values,andgoals ontheglobalstage.
Now, Indiahas a population of 1,425,775,850 according toUN projections calculatedthroughcensusdataandbirthanddeathratesandhassurpassed China'sfortheveryfirsttime.Also,it'sthefirsttimesinceUNstartedkeeping globalpopulationrecordsthatChinahasbeendisplacedfromthetopspot.
It was at China’s annual parliamentary meeting in early March, that proposalstohelpaddressandboostChina’sfallingbirthratebegantoflow in. The All-China Women’s Federation called for a national publicity campaign to 'advocate a positive concept of marriage and childbearing,' through film and television. There have been calls for tax breaks for companies that employ more mothers, opening up maternity insurance to collegestudents,free collegeeducationfor familieswhohave athirdchild bornafter2024andallowingunmarriedwomentoaccessfertilityservices. Aworrisomecaseinpointis,in2023,China’sbirthratefellto6.77per1,000 people,thelowestonrecord.
Among pro-fertility policies being rolled out, in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiangprovinceontheeastcoast,onehealthinsuranceschemeisoffering couples3,000yuannearlyRs35,000asreimbursementsforIVFtreatments. Concurrently, Sichuan, with more than 80 million residents, removed all restrictions on birth registrations, and dumped rules permitting only marriedcouplestoregisternewborns.Othersoffernewly-wedspaidleave inanattempttoencouragemarriageandboostthebirthrate.Datafromthe National Health and Medical Commission reveal, in the five-year period, between 2016 and 2021, the number of medical institutions approved to offerassistedreproductivetechnologyincreasedfrom451to539.
Indiawillfacedilemmasasitspopulationgrows.TherewillbemoreIndians ofworkingageinrelationtotheelderlyparentstheywillhavetofund,but theleadershipwillhavetobeagiletoreapthedemographicdividend.The demographic dividend is not an automatic occurrence because it would supposeyoungworking-agepeoplewhoworkwillneedtohaveworkandbe productive too. South Korea and Singapore have managed to seize the opportunityofferedbythedemographicdividend.
Trendssuggest,by2050,onlyafewcountrieswillbeaccountingforallofthe world’s population growth, most of them in Africa. According to Swedish physician and academic Hans Rosling, the world’s current 'pincode' was 1114, meaning there are very roughly one billion people in the Americas, Europe and Africa and four billion in Asia. In 2050, the code will be 1145, withfourbillioninAfricaandfivebillioninAsia.
Now,havingpeakedinthelist,theballisinIndia'scourt.Indiawillneedto providetheperfectenvironment-jobsandopportunities-forthetwo-third ofherpopulationbelow35tobeabletoreapintherichdividends.
India recently claimed the title of the world's most populous country. Interestingly,aquarterofIndia'spopulationisbelowtheageof14,while18 percentfallswithinthe10-19agebracket,andsevenpercentisaged65and above,aspertheUnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA)report.
Debatesareunderway,questioningwhetherIndia'sbillion-pluspopulation isablessingoracurse.Numerousreportsanalysethepotentialadvantages orburdensthatcomewith beingthemostpopulousnation.Forecastsalso indicate that India's population will continue to rise for several more decadesbeforeeventuallystabilising.
ThepreparednessofIndianlegislatorsandpolicymakerstoensuresufficient resources and opportunities for the country's people, both present and future, carries a significant responsibility. Government agencies, research institutions, think tanks, and international organisations are actively collaborating to develop scenarios, pathways, and solutions for a progressiveandself-reliantIndia.
For instance, India's premier think tank, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), along with the Ministry of Health and FamilyWelfare,includingtheNationalTransferAccounts(NTA),engagesin discussions and dialogue with the UNFPA on demographic dividend and populationaginginIndia.
TheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs),adoptedbytheUnitedNations in 2015, serve as a blueprint for global peace and prosperity. These seventeen interconnected objectives aim to eradicate poverty and protect theplanet.India,asacrucialglobalplayer,playsapivotalroleindetermining thesuccessofthesegoals.PrimeMinisterNarendraModistatedduringthe 2015 UN Sustainable Development Summit that the sustainable developmentofone-sixthofhumanitywouldsignificantlyimpacttheworld andourplanet.
TrackingrelevantindicatorsrelatedtotheSDGsisessentialformonitoring the progress and effectiveness of population-related policies. NITI Aayog
maps the schemes and targets of the SDGs, coordinating with relevant ministries. State governments also play a vital role in the effective implementation of the SDGs, prioritising the welfare of their people to ensure that no oneis left behind, while providing sufficient resources and opportunitiesforthegrowingpopulation.
India's population dynamics vary across states and regions, necessitating the formulation of policies and schemes tailored to specific dynamics. For instance, while Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have a predominantly young population, Punjab and Kerala have a higher proportion of elderly individuals.
With a significant youth population of 254 million, India possesses a vast sourceofopportunitiesifharnessedthroughcarefulplanning.Theenergy, productivity, and innovation of the youth must be nurtured within an environmentconducivetogrowth andadvancement, enablingthemtotap intoinfinitepossibilities.
Contrary to popular belief, a larger population offers several benefits. A larger population translates into a stronger and more extensive human capital.Aproductivepopulationcanleadtohighereconomicgrowth,rapid development, effective policy implementation, improved living standards, andoverallprogresswithinsociety.Withanexpandingyouthsegment,itis crucial to provide them with the necessary resources, such as quality education, technological access, skill training, innovation, and global exposure.
Ensuring gender equality in terms of education, work opportunities, and empowerment is also pivotal for a productive and progressive India. True empowermentenablesyounggirlsandwomennotonlytoupliftthemselves butalsotocontributetonation-buildingandsocialtransformation,fostering amoreinclusivesociety.Indiahasmadesignificantprogressinthisregard, with reductions in teenage marriages from 47 percent to 27 percent and teenage fertility from 16 percent to seven percent. Increasing numbers of womenarenowpursuingeducationandjoiningtheworkforce.
India'scurrentpopulation,whichstandsastheworld'slargest,alsoboastsa substantial working-age segment, which works in its favour. A larger working-age population results in increased economic growth, primarily
duetoahighernumberofworkingindividualsandfewerdependents,thus driving higher rates of economic activity. Since independence, India has witnessedadeclineinthedependencyratio,reflectingthedecreaseinthe number of childrenand elderly personsper working-age population. Over thenextthreedecades,thenumberofworking-ageindividualsisprojected toincrease,promisingaboostineconomicgrowthandampleopportunities forIndia'syoungworkforce.
TheproactiveIndiangovernmentcloselymonitorspolicyeffectivenessand plans for the needsof a growingpopulation.Stepsare being takentohelp India'syouthreachtheirfullpotential,fulfiltheiraspirations,andcontribute to the nation's development. The government's motto of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,orself-reliantIndia,ensuresthatnooneisleftbehind.India'sstatus as one of the world's fastest-growing economies relies significantly on its demographicdividend,particularlythelargesegmentofyoungindividuals. Policies and missions are being implemented to empower the youth, with initiatives such as Start-Up India, Fit India, Make in India, Digital India, NationalEducationPolicy,andScienceTechnology&InnovationPolicy.
A healthy population forms the foundation of any progressive country. A growing population necessitates increased healthcare provisions. The AspirationalDistrictsProgram,launchedin2018,aimstorapidlytransform India's112mostunderdevelopeddistricts,withaparticularfocusonhealth, nutrition,andeducation.ThisinitiativeplaysapivotalroleinIndia'sfuture developmentwithaforward-lookingapproach.
ToexpandIndia'seconomyandgeneratemoreemploymentopportunities, thegovernment'sambitiousandsuccessfulMakeinIndiascheme,launched in 2014, is transforming the country into a global hub for design and manufacturing.
Theimpactofpopulationdynamicsonpovertyandsustainabledevelopment is significant and far-reaching. Population growth patterns and demographicshaveadirectinfluenceonpovertyparameters,bothabsolute andrelative.Variouspopulationvariables,suchasgrowthrates,rural-urban divides, age demographics, gender demographics, and social stratification, actasindicatorsofasociety'seconomicprosperity.Thesefactorsalsoaffect developmentprospectsandeconomicmarkers.
Population growth places a burden on available resources and economic opportunities for the general population. Overpopulation exacerbates the dividebetweenthehavesandhave-notswithinsociety.Thisriftcancontinue to widen if appropriate policies are not formulated and implemented, leadingtosocialunrest.Amongthehave-nots,vulnerablegroupssuchasthe disabled, indigenous communities, and marginalised populations are particularly at risk. Their already marginalised existence becomes even moreprecariouswhenpopulationgrowthintensifieseconomicpressures.
Well-intentioned economic policies and administrative initiatives are necessary to shield these groups and communities from the economic impacts of rapid population growth. Measures must be taken to ensure theirinclusionandprotection.
Theimpactofpopulationgrowthonthefinancialinclusionofmarginalised communities varies between rural and urban settings. In India, over 60 percentofthepopulationstillresidesinruralareas,incontrasttotheglobal averageof40percent.Thisdisparitysignificantlyinfluenceshoweconomic indicators fluctuate with overpopulation and how it affects economically weakersectionsofsociety.
In rural India, a significant portion of the population relies on subsistence farming for their livelihoods. Agriculture, heavily dependent on monsoon rains,facesincreasedstressduetoclimatechange,whichhasmadeweather patternsunpredictable.Rapidpopulationgrowthplacesadditionalpressure onagriculturalresources,resultinginlesslandavailableforcultivationper
person. For subsistence farmers, smaller plots of land lead to reduced income, which is already vulnerable to the unpredictability of climate change-induced rainfall. Consequently, unsustainable population growth candrivepovertyamongweakersectionsinruralIndia.
Inurbanareas,anincreasingpopulationofmigrantworkersfromruralIndia andsmallertownsexacerbatescompetitionforemploymentopportunities. Thesituationisparticularlydireforunskilledlaborers,whofacelimitedjob prospects due to population growth. This scenario further perpetuates poverty and homelessness, particularly among uneducated migrants with limitedskills.
Thelackoffinancialcapacityleadstolimitedaccesstoqualityeducationfor their children, perpetuating a cycle of limited opportunities. Financial inclusionplaysacrucialroleinaddressingthesechallenges.
Financialinclusionensuresequalandaccessiblefinancialservices,including affordable credit, particularly for the economically weaker sections, lowincomegroups,andvulnerablepopulations.Itplaysavitalroleineconomic support, providing necessary funds for investments in education, agriculture,andcontingenciessuchashealthcare.Financialaidiscrucialfor themarginalisedandvulnerablegroups.
It involves integrating financial services to reach the poorest of the poor, creating employment opportunities, developing a skilled labour force, and reducing poverty. Financial inclusion also emphasises increased participation and access to banks for all individuals, regardless of theireconomicstanding.
Indiahasmadesignificantstridesinfinancialinclusion.In2017,80percent ofadultshadabankaccount,comparedto53percentin2014.Additionally, the percentage of Indian women with bank accounts increased from 43 percentin2014to77percentin2017,accordingtotheWorldBank'sGlobal FinancialInclusionDatabase.
Financial institutions are now focusing more on serving low-income customers,andtherehasbeenanimprovementinlast-mileconnectivityin deliveringfinancialservices.
Tribal communities represent one of the most distressed social groups in India. MorethanhalfofIndia'stribalpopulationnolongerresidesintheir traditionalhabitatsandhasmigratedinsearchoflivelihoodopportunities. These tribal communities are vulnerable to demographic, economic, and environmentalchanges.Migrationisprimarilydrivenbyeconomicdistress resulting from the extinction or inaccessibility of traditional sources of income and intrusion by non-tribal populations into their habitats. Rapid populationgrowthexacerbatesthesechallenges.
OverhalfofIndia's104milliontribalsnowliveoutsidethenearly900blocks with a majority tribal population. The 2011 Census reported a 32 percent reduction in the number of villages with a 100 percent tribal population between 2001 and 2011. Tribal communities primarily depend on forest resources and agriculture. However, their traditional livelihoods are threatened by human-induced environmental degradation, increasing humanactivity,andeconomicpressurescausedbyoverpopulation.
Anothervulnerablegroupthatfacessevereimpactsfromoverpopulationis peoplewithdisabilities.Accordingtothe2011Census,approximately2.68 crore (2 percent) of India's population was disabled, with a majority (69 percent) living in rural areas. Access to resources, education, and employmentopportunitiesforpeoplewithdisabilitiesislimited.WhileIndia has implemented laws to protect the rights of the disabled, population growthexacerbatesthepressureonthelimitedresourcesavailabletothem.
Addressing the consequences of population growth on inclusion requires targetedinterventionsandpoliciesthat protect marginalisedcommunities andensuretheiraccesstoresources,opportunities,andfinancialservices.
India, in a significant milestone, has overtaken China to become the most populousnationonEarth,accordingtodatareleasedbytheUnitedNations inApril2023.Withastaggeringpopulationof1.4286billion,India'srapid growth poses immense strains on its infrastructure. The impact is particularly pronounced in densely populated cities and towns, where existingresourcesarealreadystretchedtotheirlimits.Thenationgrapples with substantial infrastructural hurdles in critical areas such as housing, transportation,andbasicamenities.
To address these challenges, government departments and agencies are engaged in a relentless pursuit of authorising and implementing developmentprojects,whileformulatingcomprehensive,forward-thinking policies.India'srobusteconomicperformance,rankingastheworld'sfifthlargest economy, coupled with positive indicators, fuels optimism for a thriving nation. The International Monetary Fund reports an average tenyear growth rate of 6.49 percent for the Indian economy. Moreover, India boaststheworld'slargestworkforce,withamedianageof28.2years,asper theWorldPopulationProspect.
In any developing country, limited urbanisation stems from inadequate urban infrastructure, exacerbating the strain on existing resources caused byrapidpopulationgrowth.Asluggishpaceofurbanisationcurbstheurban sector'spotentialtocontributesubstantiallytothenationalgrossdomestic product. Therefore, the need for comprehensive urban infrastructure development becomes crucial to bolster economic indicators. Notably, a survey by the Asian Development Bank identified larger Indian cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, and Bengaluru as having betterprovisionofinfrastructuralfacilitiesfortheirresidents.
ANovember2022reportbytheWorldBank,titled"FinancingIndia'sUrban Infrastructure Needs: Constraints to Commercial Financing and Prospects for Policy Action," estimates that India must invest a staggering USD 840 billioninurbaninfrastructureoverthenext15yearstoadequatelymeetthe
needsofitsrapidlygrowingurbanpopulation.Thistranslatestoanaverage annualinvestmentofUSD55billion.
With migration to urban areas occurring at an alarming pace, projections indicate that by 2036, more than 600 million people, accounting for 40 percent of the country's total population, will inhabit urban centres and cities. Consequently, the challenge facing India is multi-faceted. Rapid population growth not only presents its own set of challenges but also intensifies the difficulties posed by an increasing number of individuals migratingtocities.
The influx of more people into cities amplifies pressure on existing resources, urban infrastructure, and natural resources alike. As rural-tourbanmigrationratessurgeinIndia,thedemandforpropersanitation,clean drinkingwater, safeand efficient transportation, andreliable electricity in citiesescalates.
Moving forward, it is imperative to involve diverse entities in the urban infrastructure financing process, exploring various partnership models. Currently,stateandcentralgovernmentagenciesbearthemajorityburden offinancingurbaninfrastructurerequirements,coveringapproximately75 percentofthetotalcost.Urbanlocalbodiescontributearound15percentof the funding. However, there is a growing demand to explore additional avenues for private investment to create robust and futuristic city infrastructure,capableofmeetingthechallengesposedbyrapidpopulation growth and urban migration. Presently, a meagre five percent of Indian cities'infrastructureneedsarefinancedbyprivatesources.
India's burgeoning population has exerted tremendous pressure on the housingsector,posingadauntingchallengeforadministrationsstrivingto provideaffordablehousingforall.Affordablehousing,whichcaterstolowincomeandmoderate-incomepopulationgroups,remainsadistantdream. Unplanned urbanisation and rapid population growth have resulted in millionsofpeopleresidinginslumsthroughoutIndiancities.
Thelatest estimatesrevealthat over65millionIndians liveinslums,with Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh accounting for one crore each. These states exhibit slum populations of 10.54 percent and 12.04 percent, respectively. Ensuring affordable housing with adequate sanitation,water,
andpowerincleanandhygienicconditionsiscrucialforsocialandeconomic development. It not only aids poverty alleviation but also alleviates the burden on the government's healthcare system. However, providing affordable housing has proven to be a herculean task for cities across the country.
The surge in population, coupled with rapid urbanisation, has fuelled an exponentialdemandforsafeandaffordablehousing.Localadministrations and governments strive to curb gentrification, but implementing policies and schemes encounters significant hurdles. Unsustainable development plans,flawedpolicies,insufficientfocusonlong-termsolutions,andscarcity oflandindenselypopulatedcitycentresallimpedeprogress.
As existing cities expand and smaller towns metamorphose into urban centres, the inevitable growth requires a strategic approach. Greater opportunities and resources in cities serve as magnets for migration from rural areas and smaller towns. Resolving the urban issues resulting from population growth hinges on smart urban planning, sustainable solutions, and infrastructure development, taking into account future trends and demands.
Additionally, attention must be given to sustainable development in rural areas,accompaniedbythecreationofampleemploymentopportunitiesto slowdownmigrationfromtownsandvillagestocities.Thiscanbeachieved through support for and promotion of cottage and small-scale industries, agricultural modernisation, and reforms empowering small farmers. Furthermore, implementing credit mechanisms for farmers in an increasingly unpredictable, climate-change-driven agricultural economy is paramount.
Thegovernmenthasimplementedschemesanddevisedfuturisticpoliciesto meet the infrastructure demands of a growing population. The challenges posed by housing, healthcare, and education have prompted robust responses.Withanincreasingfocusonsustainablelivinganddevelopment, local and state administrations are exploring alternatives to alleviate the strainonnaturalresources,includingland,water,forests,andair.
Political will playsacrucialrolein swiftly implementing existingschemes. Forinstance,theIndiangovernment'sPradhanMantriAwasYojana(PMAY),
a significant and extensive housing scheme launched in June 2015, has proven highly effective in providing affordable housing to eligible beneficiaries in urban areas. Moreover, the Union Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has initiated the Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) sub-scheme under PMAY-Urban, aiming to offer dignified, affordable rental housing near workplaces for urban migrants in the industrialsectorandnon-formalurbaneconomy.
Another notable initiative, the Jal Jeevan Mission, initiated by the government of India in 2019, aims to provide safe and adequate drinking watertoallruralhouseholdsthroughindividualhouseholdtapconnections by2024.TheJalJeevanMission(Urban)strivesforuniversalwatersupply coveragethroughfunctionaltapsinall4,378statutorytowns,aligningwith SustainableDevelopmentGoal6.Thisambitiousmissionaimstobridgethe estimatedgapof26.8millionurbanhouseholdtapconnections.
In a country as populous as India, basic challenges take on immense proportionsduetosheernumbers.Whileprovidingeducationitselfmaynot beasignificanthurdle,ensuringaccesstoqualityeducationforthebillionplusyoungpopulationisaseriouschallenge.
AccordingtotheNationalYouthPolicy,individualsagedbetween15and29 yearsareconsideredyouth.Withover808millionpeoplebelowtheageof 35,Indiaishometothelargestyouthpopulationintheworld,constituting 66 percent of the total population. Almost 40 percent of the country's populationfallswithintheagegroupof13to35years,andIndialeadsthe worldinthenumberofmillennialsandGenZindividuals.
With more than one-fourth of the population below the age of 15, India's youthmustnotbeignored.Theyrepresentahighlyproductivesegmentof society, holding immense potential for growth and development. By investingintheireducation,rights,healthcare,andequalopportunities,they can become future leaders and innovators. Ensuring access to quality educationisafundamentalrequirementforenablingyouthtocontributeto nation-building.
Rapidpopulationgrowthcanhindereducationandgrowthopportunitiesfor theyouth.Byaddressingtheirbasicneeds,suchaseducation,skills,training, andemploymentopportunities,theirenergyandpotentialcanbechannelled towards personal and national development. They can become the future innovators,leaders,thinkers,andchange-makers.
Education poses a major challenge in India, spanning primary education, higher education, skill building, and training. A survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office revealed that only 59.5 percent of India's youthfallunderthe"literate"category.Moreover,thereexistsasignificant disparityintermsofqualityeducationbetweenurbanandruralareasand withindifferentsocio-economiccategories.
Under the revised National Education Policy of 2020, the government is workingtoincreasethenumberofschools,colleges,anduniversitiestomeet
the growing demands of the youth population. Efforts are being made to develop holistic curricula that are futuristic, career-oriented, and on par withinternationaleducationstandards.
Newinitiativesandeffortsintheeducationsectorfocusonincreasingaccess to education, promoting equity by addressing gender and socio-economic discrimination, improving quality through enhanced teacher training and technology integration, fostering a research-based environment, and encouraginginnovation.
India'seducationindustryisthelargestintheworld,withover250million students,1.5millionschools,and9.7millionteachers.Withastaggering580 million individuals aged between 5 and 24 years, the potential and opportunitiesintheeducationsectorareenormous.
Education in India is increasingly becoming technology-driven, with the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technological advancements. There is a growing emphasis on quality vocational education, inclusive learning, and career-oriented education modulestoenhanceemployability.
India's higher education institutions provide globally recognised quality education. The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru and eight IndianInstitutesofTechnology(IITs)rankamongthetop500universities intheQSWorldUniversityRankings2023.
Theeducationsectoriswitnessingrapidgrowth,withanincreasingdemand forindustry-specificspecialiseddegreeprograms.TheCOVID-19pandemic hasalsoledtoasurgeindemandforonlineeducationmodules,prompting moreeducationalinstitutionsinIndiatofocusononlineprograms.
India's education system is highly competitive, both domestically and internationally.Indianstudentsenrolinuniversitiesworldwide,leveraging the advantage gained through education in India. The country's large English-speaking population facilitates the dissemination of information, knowledge,andeducationalproducts.
India is a significant player in the global education arena, with one of the world'slargestnetworksofhighereducationinstitutions.Itisestimatedthat
theIndianeducationmarketwillreachUSD225billionbyFY25,andedtech startupsreceivedUSD3.94billionininvestmentsinFY22.
The National Education Policy of 2020draws from India'srich heritage of ancient knowledge, emphasising the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and truth as the highest human goals. This philosophy underpins the current educationpolicy.
The policy places strong emphasis onhigh-quality vocational education. It aims toestablish regionaland national institutes for virology, over15,000 schools, one hundred new Sainik schools, and 750 residential schools in tribal areas based on the Eklavya model. Mothertongue asthe medium of instructionisalsoencouragedinschoolsandhighereducationinstitutions.
Toensureuniformimplementationandmaximumimpact,itisimperativeto includeallsectionsofsocietyandensurethateveryonebenefitsfromthese initiatives. Women play a crucial role. Today, more young girls are outperformingboysineducationandotheropportunities.
TheNationalCommissionforWomenhasinitiatedacountry-widecapacity building and personality development program for women undergraduate and postgraduate students, preparing them for the new world and empoweringthemtobejob-readyandindependent.
By prioritising education and addressing the needs of India's young population, the nation can harness their potential for growth and development.Throughcomprehensivepolicies,investments,andinitiatives, Indiacanequipitsyouthwiththenecessarytoolstoshapeabrighterfuture.
AsIndiaexperiencesrapideconomicgrowthandpopulationexpansion,the needsofitselderlypopulation,oftenovershadowedbythefocusonyouth, mustnotbeoverlooked.AyoungIndiamustrecogniseandaddresstheneeds and aspirations of its seniors, who constitute a significant demographic component.
India's population dynamics are rapidly changing. According to the 2011 Census,over58.3percentofthepopulationisaged29orbelow,whilethose aged 30 and above make up 41.4 percent. The young population has outnumberedtheolderpopulationinrecentyears.Whilepoliciesprimarily targettheyouth,astheyformthelargestpercentageofthepopulationand areconsideredfutureleaders,theneedsofseniorcitizensoftentakeaback seat.
The social landscape of India is transforming rapidly. More young individualsare migratingfrom rural tourban areasinsearch of better job opportunities,whileothersarepursuingcareersoverseas.Thesechanging familystructureshaveleftmanyelderlyindividualsdependentonexternal support.Old agehomes, retirement homes, andhospicecare haveseen an increaseinoccupants,highlightingthegrowingneedsofseniors.However, much more must be done to ensure their social and financial inclusion, accesstohealthcare,andadecentqualityoflife.
Projections from the Government of India's Ministry of Statistics and ProgrammeImplementationindicatethatby2036,individualsabovetheage of30willconstitutethemajorityofIndia'spopulation.Theshareofsenior citizens,thoseaged60andabove,isprojectedtoreach15percentby2036, up from 10.1 percent in 2021. The National Commission on Population predicts that the share of the elderly will reach 18 percent by 2036, markingasignificantincrease.
Withadvancementsinscience,technology,andhealthcare,theaveragelife expectancy in India has risen. In 2023, the life expectancy stands at 70.42 years,aconsiderableimprovementfrom69.96yearsin2021.Thisincreased
lifeexpectancy,coupledwithadecliningfertilityrate,leadstoalargeraging population.
Agingisanaturalprocess,andsocietiesrecognisethevaluableknowledge andexperiencethatolderindividualspossess.India's2011Censusreported that there are 103.8 million people aged 60 and above, accounting for 8.6 percent of the total population. Women outnumber men in this demographic.
A report by the United Nations Population Fund projects that by 2030, around 12.5 percent of India's population will be 60 years or above. Additionally,itestimatesthatby2050,theshareofseniorcitizenswillreach nearly20percent.
With retirement and the potential loss of financial independence, many seniors face challenges related to financial dependence. Physical dependence on family members for basic necessities further adds to their struggles.Thedisintegrationofjointfamilystructuresandtheshifttowards nuclear families in urban areas exacerbate the physical and mental health issuesfacedbytheelderly.Neglect,loneliness,andmentalillnesses,suchas depression,areprevalentamongseniors.
Healthcareisamajorconcernfortheelderly,asitaffectsboththeirquality of life and financial well-being. Mobility issues, locomotor disabilities, sensoryimpairments,andneurologicalconditionsarecommonhealthissues among the elderly. Geriatric care facilities are still limited, primarily accessibletothoseinurbanareasandwithfinancialmeans.Ruralareaslack suchprovisions,amplifyingconcernsfortheagingpopulation.
TheGovernmentofIndiahasimplementedvariouspoliciesandprogramsto address theneedsof seniorcitizens. The NationalPolicyonOlderPersons (NPOP)of1999,theMaintenanceandWelfareofParentsandSeniorCitizens Act of 2007, and the National Policy for Senior Citizens of 2011 provide a legalframeworkforsupportingthewell-beingoftheelderly.Thesepolicies emphasise adequate food, clean water, community support, social integration, and access to healthcare to ensure a dignified life, freefromabuseorexploitation.
The National Programme for Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) and the Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) specifically focusonprovidinghealthcareservicestotheelderly.NPHCEaimstoprovide accessible,affordable,andhigh-qualitycareservicestotheagingpopulation, promote active and healthy aging, and converge with other healthcare initiatives. Financial assistance schemes, such as the National Social AssistanceProgramme(NSAP)andtheAtalPensionYojana,aimtoprovide supporttotheelderlyandthoseintheunorganisedsector.
The National Policy on Older Persons encompasses financial security, healthcare, shelter, and other needs. It also emphasises social security, intergenerational bonding, NGO involvement, manpower training, and researchtouplifttheelderly.
Byacknowledgingand addressingthe needs of India's seniors, societycan ensure their well-being, safety, and security. A comprehensive approach, encompassing social, financial, and healthcare aspects, is essential for providingadignifiedlifetotheelderly.
We, The People is a DraftCraft International report analysing what it means for India to become the world’s most populated nation, the State’s attempts to tackle issues and the challenges ahead.
Therapidgrowthofpopulationputsimmensestrainoninfrastructureand resources.Italsoimpactseconomicresources,necessitatingthecontinuous generation of employment opportunities for the youth and the diversificationofmid-levelandsenior-levelprofessionals.Intoday'sglobal and dynamic job market, both domestic and foreign variables shape employmentsectors.
The employment landscape is evolving rapidly, adapting to the changing needsofaglobalsociety.Thedemandandremunerationforjobsthatwere oncelucrativeadecadeagohavediminished.Developmentacrossstateshas creatednewchannelsofinternalmigrationinIndia.
Migrationfromsmallercitiesandtownstometropolitanareashasbecome prevalentasindividualsseekbetteremployment opportunitiesandcareer advancement. The workforce is now engaged in employment for longer durations, and women, who were previously confined to household work, arenowcompetingforjobsatalllevels.Economicpoliciesmustbedesigned with a futuristic approach, considering the nation's growing needs andchangingdemographics.
TheMinistryofLabourandEmployment'sreportfromthethirdquarterof the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) for October-December 2021 provides insights into employment trends. The survey focuses on sectors such as education, construction, manufacturing, transport, trade, health, accommodation/restaurants,IT/BPOs,andfinancialservices,whichaccount forabout85percentoftotalemploymentopportunitiesinIndia.Thereport indicates an increasing employment trend in the organized sector acrossthesesectors.
The manufacturing sector, the largest employer, accounts for nearly 39 percentoftotalemployment,followedbytheeducationsectorat22percent. Thesurveyidentifiedapproximately1.85lakhjobvacanciesinthesesectors, with around 83 percent regular workers and close to ninepercentcontractworkers.
AgricultureremainstheprimarysectorofemploymentinIndia,employing 43.96percentoftheworkforcein2021.Theremainingworkforceisengaged in other sectors and services. Currently, the service sector, encompassing software,telecommunications,textiles,chemicals,andmore,generatesthe mosteconomicopportunitiesandcontributessignificantlytoIndia'sGDP.
In April 2023, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected India's economytogrowby5.9percentinthecurrentfiscalyear,positioningitas theworld'sfastest-growingeconomy.TheWorldBankalsopredictedIndia to remain the fastest-growing major economy, with a growth rate of 6.3 percent for FY24 and 6.4 percent for FY25. The World Bank attributed India'srobustgrowthtoresilienceinprivateconsumption,investment,and theservices sector.India'seconomic progress is expectedto havepositive spillovereffectsonSouthAsiaasawhole.
India's employment landscape is undergoing rapid changes, including the increasingparticipationofwomenintheworkforce.Unfortunately,thisshift has not translated into pay parity, equal employment opportunities, or career growth. Addressing these disparities requires awareness and sensitisationefforts.
For decades, planners, policymakers, and economists have been working together to create an environment in India that provides employment opportunitiesforall.Employmenthasremainedasignificantchallenge.With higher literacy rates and more Indians pursuing higher education and vocationaltraining,jobseekersarenowseekingwell-payinganddecentjobs with provisions for career growth, social security, and a good working environment.
Anothersignificantchallengeistheavailabilityofaskilledworkforce.India isfacingashortageofskilledworkers,whichdisruptstheeconomydespite the presence of ample employment opportunities. Addressing this issue requires recognizing workers with basic skills and enhancing their capabilities to integrate them into the productive workforce. Additionally, trainingprogramsmustbeimplementedinalltypesofindustriestoincrease theskilledworkforce.
According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the unemployment rate in urban areas for
individualsabovetheageof15decreasedto7.2percentinJuly-September 2022, compared to 9.8 percent in the same period the previous year. The unemploymentrateformenandwomenduringthisperiodwas6.6percent and9.4percent,respectively,asopposedto9.3percentand11.6percentin July-September2021.
To address the needs of India's growing population, the government has implemented various schemes and initiatives focused on generating employment opportunities, providing skill training and upgrading programs, and promoting entrepreneurship. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, aims to provide industry-relevant skill trainingtomanyIndianyouths,enablingthemtosecurebetterlivelihoods.
TheStartupIndiainitiativefostersinnovationandentrepreneurshipinIndia bycreatingacomprehensiveandinclusiveecosystem.Itincludesmeasures to enhance infrastructure, simplify patent filing, improve regulatory environments, provide economic stimuli, and establish extensive networkingdatabasesforentrepreneurs.
TheAatmanirbharBharat RojgarYojana(ABRY)incentivizesemployersto generate new employment opportunities while providing social security benefits. It also incentivizes the restoration of employment for those who lostjobsduringtheCOVID-19pandemic.TheNationalCareerService(NCS) Project offers a range of career-related services such as counselling, job matching,skilldevelopmentcourses,internships,andapprenticeships.
Addressingemploymentchallengesandcreatingaconduciveenvironment forjobcreationarecrucialforIndia'sgrowingpopulation.Thegovernment's initiatives aim to generate employment, enhance skills, and encourage entrepreneurship to drive economic growth and improve the lives of its citizens.
As a country experiences an increase in population, it faces a substantial burdenonitspublichealthsystem.Thesurgeinpopulationexertsimmense pressure on sanitation, healthcare, infrastructure, and environmental resourceslikewater,air,andsoil.
Whilepopulationcanbeanassettoanation,uncontrolledgrowthhasfarreachingconsequencesthatextendbeyondstrainingtheeconomy.Itdirectly impactshumanhealthonalargescale,compromisingtheoverallqualityof life. A direct correlation exists betweenpopulationgrowth,environmental degradation,andincreasedpublichealthrisks.
Arecent studyconductedbytheUniversityofCambridgerevealedthat90 percentofIndiansarenowmoresusceptibletopublichealthissuesandface anincreasedriskofdeathduetoclimatechange-inducedweatherpatterns, particularly heatwaves. High population density areas lack the administrative capacity to effectively control, mitigate, or adapt to such circumstances. These areas often suffer from inadequate amenities, illiteracy,lowerincomelevels,poorinfrastructure,andlimitedadaptability, exacerbatinghealthrisksduringextremeweatherevents.
Heatwaves, a consequence of climate change, are becoming increasingly frequent worldwide. In 2022, the Indian subcontinent experienced an unprecedentedheatwavethatpersisteduntilApril,resultinginthehottest March since1901.Heat exposureposesseverehealthrisks,includingheat exhaustion,heatstroke,andotherheat-relatedillnesses.Itcanalsoworsen existinghealthconditionssuchasrespiratoryandcardiovasculardiseases, diabetes-relatedcomplications,andnegativelyimpactdiseasetransmission andairquality.
Sanitation plays a vital role in public health, as highlighted by the World Health Organisation. Inadequate sanitation contributes to diseases like trachoma and intestinal worms, causing more than 800,000 deaths in low and middle-income countries. Poor sanitation also contributes to malnutrition.Despiteprogress,sanitationremainsamajorconcerninmany
developingnations.InIndia,asignificantportionofthepopulationstilllacks accesstoimprovedsanitationfacilities,particularlyinruralareas.
Recognising the urgency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014, aiming to eradicate open defecation, promote scientific waste management, and drive behaviour change. The missionhasyieldedsignificantresults,achievinga hundredpercentaccess tosanitationfacilitiesinurbanIndia.Over7milliontoiletshavebeenbuilt, benefitingwomen,transgenderindividuals,andpeoplewithdisabilities.
However, population growth presents a range of challenges for public health. Overpopulation leads to pollution, food insecurity, malnutrition, overcrowding, and an increased risk of communicable diseases. Densely populated areas and cramped living conditions facilitate the spread of infectiousdiseases,particularlyairborneillnesses.Pollution,exacerbatedby higherhumanactivityandincreasedairpollution,contributestorespiratory diseases,asthma,cardiovasculardiseases,andlungcancer.
Children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to the effects of pollution. Additionally, overpopulation strains natural resources and human-generated waste, polluting water sources and contributing to waterborne diseases. The demand-supplyimbalanceresultingfromoverpopulationhampersprogress inothersectors,suchastheeconomyandeducation.
AlthoughhealthcarecostsinIndiaremainaffordable,maintainingabalance between population growth andthecapacity of infrastructure and natural processesiscrucialtosafeguardpublichealth.Failuretodosojeopardizes the equilibrium and can have dire consequences for the well-being of the population.
(Inputs from Anushka Singh, Nandini Rao, Nimisha Lakhia, Kriti Kalra and Mayank Taurani)
