Youth in India 2022

The ‘Youth in India 2022’ report has been released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

Key highlights of the report –

• Youth population is projected to decline —
  • • This report said youth in the age group of 15-29 years comprise 27.2 per cent of the population for 2021, which is expected to decrease to 22.7 by 2036.
    • The total youth population increased from 222.7 million in 1991 to 333.4 million in 2011 and is projected to reach 371.4 million by 2021.
    • Thereafter, the number will decrease to 345.5 million by 2036.
• Share of the elderly is expected to increase —
  • • The report highlights that the share of the elderly is expected to steadily surge during 2021-2036.
    • The proportion of elderly population to the total population has increased to 9.2 per cent in 2016 and is projected to reach 14.9 per cent in 2036.
    • States such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh are projected to see a higher elderly population than the youth by 2036.
• Projections for states —
  • • Bihar and Uttar Pradesh experienced a rise in proportion of youth population to total population till 2021 and then it is expected to start declining.
      • These two states, along with Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, are projected to have 52 per cent of the country’s youth.
• There will be greater demand for the healthcare facilities and welfare programmes for elderly people —
  • • A greater proportion of youth at present will result in a greater proportion of elderly in the population in future.
    • This will create a demand for better healthcare facilities and development of welfare schemes/programmes for elderly people.
    • The rise in the share of elderly population will put pressure on social security and public welfare systems.
    • The next 4-5 years need to be utilised well to accelerate productive job creation.