Youth in India 2022 Report
Recently the ‘Youth in India 2022’ report has been released by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation.
According to this report, the number of elderly people in the country has been estimated more than the number of youth.
Key Findings of report
- In the year 2021, the share of youth in the age group of 15-29 years in the total population of the country was 27.2%. It is likely to decrease to 22.7% in the year 2036.
- Highly populated states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are likely to see a decline in the youth population from now on. The ratio of youth population to total population had increased in these states by the year 2021.
- States such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh are projected to have more elderly population than youth by the year 2036.
Cause
- Higher life expectancy at birth and continued decline in fertility have led to greater growth in the working-age population.
- Mass migration due to internal migration can slow down the aging of the population, even if it is only temporarily. This is because the people who migrate are of young working age.
Consequence
- The rate of growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) slows down.
- The cost of aid to the population increases.
- The burden on the government budget increases.
- Generally people are in informal employment. Such jobs do not provide social security. In such a situation, the demand for better health facilities and welfare schemes/programmes for elderly people increases.
Way Ahead-
The demographic dividend should be fully exploited in the coming few years. This move will create more productive jobs. This will encourage savings and growth.
Source – The Hindu
