India’s elderly population is projected to double by 2050, reaching 346 million by that year, according to Andrea Wojnar, Resident Representative for UNFPA India. This significant demographic shift underscores the urgent need for increased investment in healthcare, housing, and pension schemes, particularly for older women, who are more likely to face poverty and live alone.
Wojnar emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges during an interview with PTI, highlighting key population trends that India is prioritizing to accelerate sustainable development. These trends include the nation’s youthful population, aging population, urbanization, migration, and climate resilience, each presenting unique opportunities and challenges.
India boasts a substantial youthful population, with 252 million individuals aged between 10 and 19 years. Investing in health, education, job training, and job creation, while promoting gender equality, can unlock the potential of this demographic, driving the nation towards sustainable progress.
As India is projected to be 50% urban by 2050, building smart cities, robust infrastructure, and affordable housing is crucial to manage slum growth, air pollution, and environmental issues. Urban plans should prioritize women’s needs for safety and security, as well as access to healthcare, education, and jobs, promoting gender equality and improving overall quality of life.
Managing internal and external migration also requires meticulous planning, skills development, and the equitable distribution of economic opportunities. Addressing the specific challenges faced by women as migrants or spouses left behind is essential for balanced growth.
Integrating climate resilience into development plans and investing in renewable energy are vital for sustainable development. Climate change can impact reproductive health, making conception harder, causing pregnancy complications, and limiting healthcare access during emergencies. Addressing these issues is essential for gender equality and sustainable development.
While India has made significant progress in family planning, some challenges remain. With 9.4% of family planning needs unmet and 7.5% of pregnancies unplanned, according to NFHS-5 data (2019-21), there is a need to improve access to contraceptives and family planning resources, particularly in high-need areas.
UNFPA’s efforts in India focus on enhancing contraceptive choices, promoting healthy pregnancy spacing, and increasing access to family planning services, particularly in underserved areas. These efforts also aim to change social and behavioral attitudes towards family planning.
In 2023, UNFPA distributed 100,000 Single Rod Subdermal Implants and 200,000 doses of DMPA SC (Antara-SC) across 10 Indian states. These long-lasting, reversible contraceptives are ideal for young people and couples seeking to delay or space pregnancies.
UNFPA has also trained 47 midwifery educators at the National Midwifery Training Institutes in Udaipur and Patiala. These educators have supported over 5,000 prenatal visits and assisted with 550 normal deliveries, empowering women to choose their birthing positions and have companions present, fostering stronger family relationships.
Respectful maternity care empowers women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. These efforts aim to reduce maternal deaths and improve health outcomes for mothers and babies, particularly in underserved areas.
