Sustainable development goals and ageing: Status, challenges, and strategies for policy implications for India

Like most countries around the world, India faces the challenge of an ageing population. According to the most recent report of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the share of India’s population over 60 years of age is likely to increase from 8.5% in 2011 to 19% of the total population by 2050. This can be attributed to increased life expectancy and falling fertility rates. These changes in demographics present economic, social and health challenges which need urgent and timely interventions by government, business, and society as a whole. Given that the United Nations has laid down 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that aim to achieve wellbeing and healthy living for all, the ageing population requires special attention as they are more vulnerable to poor health, unemployment, and financial insecurity. It becomes imperative to develop a robust framework of policies that addresses the challenges that are likely to arise due to the ageing population in different countries. This chapter presents the changing picture of India’s demographics, and in the light of relevant SDGs discusses the extent, growth, trends and policy challenges of an ageing population in India.