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Under these backdrops the elderly population in our country is the 2nd largest in the World, next only to China. This population, which was 77 million according to the 2001 census(7.5% of the total), is projected by the UN to increase to 137 million by 2021. It is necessary to note areas in our country. The annual growth rate of the elderly population is higher(3%)as compared to the growth rate of the total population(1.9%)
Sex ratio (number of females per 1000 males) of the elderly population, which was 1029 in 2001, is projected to become 1031 by 2016. Life expectancy at the age of 60, which was 9 years in 1901, is currently around 16 years for males and 18 years for females. Widowed elderly females are greater in population (51%) as compared to males(15%).
The old age ratio is gradually incresing. The number of the elderly as supported by their childern and their co-residence increases as they advance in age. It is to be noted that 53 percentile among elderly male and 20 percentile among elderly female are literate. Elderly males are more economically actve as compared to elderly females.
It has been seen that many seniors in India lead healthy, dignifed and satisfaying lives in urban areas. They are secure as owners of their homes. On the other side ,there are many more seniors who retire without pension, provident fund or modest savings. They lack access even the most basic health care and suffer abuse and neglect from the younger generation and in many cases from the state also .
Census report reveals that in our country 90 percent of the total work force is employed in the unorganized sector. So they are deprived of the retirement benefits and financial security like pension and other post retirement benefits that are largely the monopoly of the gainful employment in organized sector. It has been also estimated that one third of the elderly population live below the proverty line.
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