Centre Projects 230 Million Senior Citizens By 2036 And Strengthens Elderly-Support Architecture
SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being | SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Institutions: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
India’s senior-citizen (60 + yrs) population is projected to reach ≈ 230 million by 2036, representing around 15% of the total population, signalling a major demographic transition.
The release notes pronounced regional disparities in ageing: southern states along with Himachal Pradesh and Punjab already have higher elderly-shares, and the gap with younger states is expected to widen by 2036.
The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act (Amendment) 2019 mandates that children/-heirs maintain senior-citizens and strengthen institutional care provisions. The government emphasises a “silver economy” approach, digital access and dedicated schemes for older adults (e.g., pensions, assistive devices, geriatric care).
The demographic shift demands expanded health-care infrastructure, retirement-friendly housing, social protection mechanisms and inclusive digital services. This dovetails with India’s National Policy on Older Persons, the Digital India agenda and efforts under the Ayushman Bharat framework.
What is the Silver Economy Approach?→ The silver economy refers to economic opportunities linked to an ageing population—covering products, services and innovations that improve older people’s quality of life. It treats senior citizens as active contributors and consumers, not dependents. In India, this includes assistive devices, home-care services, digital-health solutions, and re-employment or skill programmes for retirees, aligning ageing welfare with growth and entrepreneurship goals.
What is the Link Between the Silver Economy and the National Policy on Older Persons? → The National Policy on Older Persons (1999) established India’s framework for senior-citizen welfare, focusing on care, protection and participation. In essence, the silver economy operationalises NPOP’s vision in today’s context — combining welfare, inclusion, and economic potential into one ageing-policy framework. It shifts the lens from welfare to empowerment and enterprise, aligning ageing policy with growth and inclusion under Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
Follow the full update here: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2183196