UNFPA (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Social Issue)

Context: The United Nations Population Fund, India, has released the “2023 India Ageing Report,” which projects a significant increase in the elderly population in India.

Major Findings of the Report

• Elderly Population: The population of people aged 80+ years is projected to grow by around 279% between 2022 and 2050.
• Elderly Ppopulation share: In 2050, it is projected that the elderly demographic in India will comprise more than 20% of the overall population, which marks a significant increase from the current share of approximately 10% in 2021.
• Gender Differences in Life Expectancy: Women, on average, have a longer life expectancy compared to men, with variations across states.
• Inter-State Variations: States in southern India and some northern states like Himachal Pradesh and Punjab report a higher share of elderly population compared to the national average in 2021.

UN Population Fund (UNFPA)

• About: Originally known as the United Nations Fund for Population Activities from 1969 to 1987.
• It is a trust fund and it is the largest international source of assistance for population programs.
• Regulated by: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• Establishment: 1969

International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

• About: IIPS is a prominent research and training institution specializing in population studies, Located: Mumbai, India.
• Establishment: 1956 through collaboration between the Government of India, the United Nations, and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• Regional Center: IIPS serves as a regional center for the Asia and Pacific region, making it a hub for population research and studies in this geographic area.