The Indian Scenario, Helpage India.

A silent revolution has occurred in the last 100 years - unseen, unheard, and yet so close. The biggest achievement of the century is longevity. All over the world life expectancy has risen, leading to a sharp rise in the number of Older Persons.

The Indian Scenario
In India life expectancy has gone up from 20 years in the beginning of the 20th century to 62 years today. Better medical care and low fertility have made the elderly the fastest growing section of society.

In France, it took 120 years for the grey population to double from 7 % to 14 %. But in India, the grey population has doubled in 25 years!

Year No Of Older Persons
1901 12 million
1951 19 million
2001 77 million.

By 2025 a whopping 177 million!

While the numbers have gone up, quality of life has gone down.
Industrialisation, migration, urbanisation and westernisation have severely affected value systems. The erstwhile joint family, the natural support system, has crumbled. The fast-changing pace of life has added to the woes of the older person.

In India:
90% of older persons are from the unorganized sector, with no social security at the age of 60.
30% of older persons live below the poverty line, and another 33% just marginally over it.
80% live in rural areas.
73% are illiterate, and can only be engaged in physical labor.
55% of women over 60 are widows, many of them with no support whatsoever.
There are nearly 200,000 centenarians in India.
Here are some key aspects of ageing.

WHAT IS AGEING?
An irreversible biological phenomenon
Survival of a growing number of people completing their traditional adult roles

WHO ARE THE AGED?
Persons above sixty years of age are classified as aged persons

WHY IS INDIA AGEING OR GREYING FAST?
Advancements in medical / health technologies
Gradual fall in mortality rate
Increased awareness
Better nutrition
Increased life expectancy