Ageing and age structural transition in major states of India from 1961 to 2011

Reductions in infant, child and maternal mortality rates, lengthening of life expectancy and decrease in fertility rates during the second half of the twentieth century have resulted in the numerical growth of older population around the world and also in India—the second most populated country in the world. The rapidly swelling older population—defined here as persons aged 60 years and above—has far-reaching socio-economic ramifications for a country like India. Therefore, it is imperative to carry out a proper analysis of the older population for policy-making. In this backdrop, the present paper attempts to analyse ageing and age structural transition occurring as a result of a fall in both fertility and mortality rates from 1961 to 2011 in India and its selected 15 major states. Using the data of Indian Censuses from 1961 to 2011, this study examines the trends and levels of ageing as well as different age indices, including old age dependency ratio, oldest old age dependency ratio, ageing index, and sex ratio by age groups in India as a whole, and separately for the selected 15 major states. The study also highlights the age structural transition that has been taking place among the population of India and its major states throughout the study period. The results reveal that there has been a remarkable increase in the number and share of the older population in India during the study period. However, significant differentials have emerged in the levels of ageing and different age indices as well as age structural transition across the major states, with the ageing taking place faster in the southern states and slower in the northern states of India. This study suggests for effective policy intervention in education, skill development, employment, migration and health care facilities.