Women in Several Indian States Outlive Men: UNFPA Report

A recent UNFPA report, the India Ageing Report 2023, has revealed that women in specific Indian states enjoy a longer life expectancy than their male counterparts. The report delves into the current aging population dynamics, shedding light on the demographic and socio-economic status of India’s elderly population.

According to the data disclosed by the UNFPA, women aged 60 and above can expect to live more than 20 additional years in states such as Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. This significant gender gap in life expectancy at 60 years reflects the feminization of aging, where elderly females tend to outlive males.

The report further estimates that by 2050, the proportion of India’s elderly population will double, reaching over 20% of the total population. Currently, individuals aged 60 and above constitute 13.9% of the global population, and this number is projected to double to 2.1 billion by 2050, comprising 22% of the world’s total population.

In India, this demographic shift is no exception. In 2022, there were 149 million individuals aged 60 and above, accounting for around 10.5% of the country’s population. By 2050, this proportion is expected to double to 20.8%, with the absolute number rising to 347 million, as stated in the report.

This data underscores the changing demographics and aging population in India, with women in certain states enjoying longer and healthier lives as compared to men.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Times of India