UN released World Social Report 2023

UN released World Social Report 2023

 

 

Why in News?

Recently, the United Nation (UN) released “World Social Report 2023: Leaving no one behind in an ageing world” and it shows that the number of persons aged 65 years or older worldwide is expected to double over the next 3 decades.

 

Key Highlights of the Report are:

 

1. The elderly population will reach 1.6 billion in 2050, accounting for more than 16% of the global population.

2. North Africa, West Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are expected to experience the fastest growth in the number of older people over the next 3 decades.

3. Now, Europe and North America combined have the highest share of older persons.

4. This demographic shift brings into question the current arrangements of old-age support by the countries.

5. Gender inequality also persists into old age. Economically, women’s lower level of formal labour market participation, shorter working lives and lower wages during working years lead to more economic insecurity in later life.

 

So, What is Ageing of the Population?

 

1. It refers to the process by which the proportion of older individuals in a society increases over time.

2. This is typically measured by the proportion of the population that is over a certain age, such as 65 years or older.

 

Status in India:

1. As per the National Commission on Population, the share of the elderly in India’s population was close to 9% in 2011, is growing fast and may reach 18% by 2036.

2. Life expectancy in India has more than doubled since Independence from around 32 years in the late 1940s to 70 years or so today.

 

About the Problems Associated with the Ageing Population:

1. Increased Healthcare Costs: As people age, they are more likely to experience chronic physical health conditions and require more healthcare services.This can lead to increased healthcare costs for governments, insurers, and individuals.

2. Leads to Social Security Imbalance: Ageing populations can put a strain on social security systems, as a smaller proportion of the population is working and contributing to the system, while a larger proportion is retired and drawing benefits. This can lead to increased pressure to raise taxes or reduce benefits.

3. Mental Health Issues: According to a recent survey, 30% to 50% of elderly people had symptoms that make them depressed due to feelings of powerlessness, loneliness etc. A large majority of elderly persons living alone are women, especially widows.

4. Elderly Abuse: Recently, the report of ‘Longitudinal Ageing Study in India’ (LASI) was released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. As per the report, almost 5% of the senior citizens surveyed reported ill-treatment/abuse.

 

What is Elder Abuse?

1. It can be defined as “a single, or a repeated act of bad behaviour occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person”.

2. It is a social issue which affects the Health and Human Rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the entire international community.

3. Elder abuse is a problem that exists in both developing as well as developed countries and it is also 1 of the most underreported issue globally.

 

Findings of the ‘Longitudinal Ageing Study in India’:

1. On Health Condition: As per the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India report, there are almost 24% of people aged 60 years and above and 12% people aged 45-59 years of age who have claimed poor self-rated health conditions.

2. On Economic Condition:

1. There are nearly 62% of people aged 45-59 years and 35% of aged 60 years and above who are currently working. They are mostly engaged in agricultural and allied activities.
2. There are almost 4.4 percent of people aged 45-59 years and 1.5 percent of age 60 years and above, are seeking jobs.

3. On Social Condition:

1. Living Alone: There is around 5.7 per cent of people aged 60 years and above who live alone.
2. Perceived life satisfaction with social status:  Life satisfaction among the elderly is less than 50 per cent. Only 44 per cent of people aged 60 years and above are satisfied with their own life.

4. On Abuse & Crime:

1. Substance abuse: As per the report, Substance abuse (by usage of drugs) increases with an increase in age. It is 14 per cent for people aged 60 and above in contrast to 11 per cent for 45-59 years age group.
2. Crimes against senior citizens: As per the NCRB data, as many as 4,264 cases of various crimes against senior citizens were reported in 19 metropolitan cities in 2021.

 

Various Government Initiatives for the Protection of Elderly Population in India are:

1. The National Policy on Older Persons, 1999:  The policy focuses on state support to ensure financial and food security, health care, shelter, protection and other needs of older persons to improve quality of their lives.

2. National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is implementing the “National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly”. It focus is to provide healthcare facilities to the elderly.

3. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act: It was enacted in 2007 to ensure need-based maintenance of parents and senior citizens and their welfare including shelter, healthcare, protection of life and property etc.

4. Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY):The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing AVYAY for senior citizens.

It has the following components for providing different services to senior citizens:

A) Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY): For bringing near normalcy in the bodily functions of those BPL senior citizens who suffer from age-related disabilities, by providing them with free of cost assisted living devices like wheel chairs etc.

B) Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED) Portal: Many senior citizens have experience, time and energy which can be used by the business enterprises looking for stable employees with experience. The portal allows bringing these people together by virtual matching of preferences.

 

Conclusion and Way Forward

 

1. Focusing on Healthcare and Social Security: There is a need to Increase funding for healthcare and social security programs to support older citizens. Also, promoting healthy ageing and preventive healthcare can reduce the burden of chronic disease.

2. Financial Security to Elderly: Increased pension coverage and improved pension schemes to ensure older citizens are financially secure.

3. Linking CSR with Elderly Empowerment: There is a need to encourage private sector participation in the provision of elderly care services through Corporate Social Responsibility. Private sector can also help in the development of old age-friendly infrastructure and environments to support older citizens.

4. Old Age Self Help Groups: Old Age Self Help Groups (SHGs) can be formed at the local level linked with handloom and handicraft activities to keep elderly socially and physically active and busy.

5. Organize Games and Activities: Time to time board game programmes can also be organized at local levels to promote inter-generational bonding through activities that bring together older and younger citizens.

6. Law and Order: It needs to be Strengthen and proper reporting of cases should be encouraged.

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