Every dimension of human existence requires meticulous planning. Human resources need it all or more. Knowing the age, sex structure and its changes over the period of time, assumes importance for keeping in place a robust mechanism for a dynamic population development.
Population ageing is a global phenomenon. With the passage of time, every country in the world is experiencing growth in the size and proportion of older persons in their population. Population ageing is an inevitable demographic reality that is associated with improvements in health and medical care system. With longevity and declining fertility rates, the population of older persons (60 years and above) is growing faster than the general population globally. This phenomenon is known as population ageing. When population age increases rapidly, this has implications on the socio- economic and health status of the elderly.
The United Nations adopted the 1st International Plan of Action on Ageing in Vienna in 1982, and it took until 1991 for the General Assembly to adopt the UN Principles for Older Persons (Resolution 46/91) and its 4 main themes – independence, participation, care, self-fulfillment and dignity. The Committee on Economic, Social and Culture Rights adopted the general comment on the Economic and Social, and Cultural Rights of Older Persons. In 1999, with the International Year of Older Persons, came the Conceptual Framework based on the Plan and Principles with 4 priority areas (i) the situation of older persons, (ii) individual life long development, (iii) the relationship between generations, (iv) the inter-relationship of population, aging and development. The 2nd World Assembly on Ageing (WAA) had adopted unanimously a Political Declaration and an International Strategic Plan of Action on Ageing in Madrid in 2002. The 2004 report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly recommends “assigning full-time focal points on ageing and providing them with adequate resources to further implementation”. The International day of older persons is celebrated every year on 1st October.
Declining fertility and increasing longevity lead to rising numbers of older persons as well as a continuously growing share of older persons in the population. Population ageing has lasting impacts on sustainable development. Sustainable Development Goal 3 gives attention to well-being for all at all ages and thus addresses ageing too. India is committed to SDGs and has been progressively streamlining global indicators into national development indicators.
Population ageing is one of the mega trends that is affecting sustainable development. It has significant impact on economies, societies and the environment. Besides sustained fertility decline and increased life expectancy, Population ageing is further positively influenced by reduced infant, child and maternal mortality, reduction in communicable diseases and better control of non-communicable diseases. People now live longer than before. Population ageing, thus, requires adequate policies and government action for countries to maintain sustainable economic growth, eradicate poverty and address inequalities. Though ageing is the natural stage of human life, it brings with it innumerable problems for the people who have grown old. The major problems of the aged people, as found in the various studies, are given below:
Economic Problems: These are very basic to all the other problems faced by the aged. With increasing age, persons increasingly have to move out labour force leading to loss of employment and income. This also entails reduction in their self-esteem and well-being. Lack of adequate financial resources make it more difficult to handle old age related issues and requirements.
Physiological Problems: With growing age, older persons experience various anatomical and physiological changes. These changes bring many psychological, behavioral and attitudinal changes in them. Loss of physical strength and stamina become more acute as a person grow older and require systematic handling.
Housing related Problems: Housing for the aged need to be suitable to the conditions of failing health and illness, commonly associated with later years of life viz. failing eye sight of hearing, slowing and un-sureness of steps, diminishing energy and more acute disabilities, such as blindness, forgetfulness etc.
Crime against Aged persons: Aged persons are most vulnerable to be victim of any crime, since they are soft targets. The cases of crime against the aged persons are rising. Aged persons are facing many problems such as murder, theft, hurt, cheating and bag snatching by the both known and unknown persons.
The problem associated with ageing requires availability for relevant data on the structure of population, various problems of aged and facilities available to them etc. The analysis of Population Ageing use Old Age Dependency Ratio as a proxy for the economic dependency of the older population. Population ageing has many societal and policy implications. The demographic shift threatens to lower labour force participation and savings rates, increase health expenditures, and strain pension and health schemes. The rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases disproportionately burdens the elderly. Technological and institutional innovations that may mitigate the effects of population ageing are much needed to address the issues.
In order to mitigate the ill effects of ageing population, appropriate social and economic policies need to be made. For society to adapt to ageing as well as for older population to adapt to a changing society, social policies for the elderly needs to be critically examined and suitable redesigning are required. New priorities must be added to the scarce resources for social programs for elderly, while still having to deal with the problems of the younger populations. Women issues also are of paramount importance in considering social policies for elderly population. Due to better life expectancy women live longer than men. Exacerbated risks for women across their life course make them more vulnerable in old age. Appropriate care and support for them is a priority area.
