New Delhi: Kerala, in accordance with 2021 data, has a maximum proportion (16.5%) of the elderly people in the population, followed by Tamil Nadu (13.6%), Himachal Pradesh (13.1%), Punjab (12, 6%) and Andhra Pradesh (12.4%), according to government reports.
The proportion was at least in Bihar (7.7%) followed by Uttar Pradesh (8.1%) and Assam (8.2%), in accordance with technical group reports on population projections for India and countries for 2011-2036 , whose findings have been quoted in the ‘Elderly Document in India 2021’ which was released on Thursday by the Ministry of Statistics and the Implementation of the Program (MOSPI).
The projection for 2031 shows that Kerala will have a maximum proportion (20.9%) of the elderly people in the population, followed by Tamil Nadu (18.2%), Himachal Pradesh (17.1%), Andhra Pradesh (16.2%) ) And Punjab (16.2%)), according to a report.
It quotes data to show that the general population has grown by 12.4% during 2011-2021, compared with around 18% in the previous decade, while the elderly population grew by 36% in each of the last two decades (2001-2011 and 2011- 2021).
The high growth rate in the elderly population compared to the general population was also observed earlier in two decades between 1961 and 1981, the report said.
The growth in the elderly population has been associated with the longevity of life achieved due to economic welfare, better health services and medical facilities and reduction of fertility levels.
The old age dependence ratio provides a clearer picture of the number of people aged 60-plus per 100 people in the 15-59 year age group.
The report said that the increased trend was observed in the ratio of old age dependencies – has increased from 10.9% in 1961 to 14.2% in 2011 and more projected to increase to 15.7% and 20.1% by 2021 and 2031.
The ratio of dependence projected for women and men is 14.8% and 16.7% respectively by 2021.