India’s Elderly Population to Rise Sharply as Life Expectancy Improves: UN Report
News Time Barak | June 12, 2025
A recent United Nations report highlights a significant demographic shift in India, with the elderly population—those aged 60 and above—currently standing at 7%. This number is expected to rise steadily in the coming decades, aligning with government projections and the country’s increasing life expectancy.According to the report, life expectancy at birth in India as of 2025 is estimated at 71 years for men and 74 years for women. This upward trend reflects advances in healthcare, nutrition, and overall living standards.The UN’s findings are based on a wide range of data sources, including nationally representative household surveys such as the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS). It also includes the most recent figures from the World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision and the Model-based Estimates and Projections of Family Planning Indicators 2024, published by the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs.These projections underscore the urgent need for policy planning around elder care, healthcare infrastructure, and social welfare programs to support a rapidly aging population.
