Anushka Singh points out that a country with the largest number of ‘youth’ (15 – 24 years), a staggering 254 million, is nothing but a source of opportunities if planned carefully. The young are energetic, productive and innovative. It’s important to create an environment of growth and innovation and nurture it so that they can tap on the infinite possibilities
A few weeks ago, India became the world’s most populous country with a population of 1,425,775,850 people as per UN estimates. The estimates are made based on information and trends in mortality, fertility and migration acquired from records, surveys and administrative data.
As per the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report – 25 per cent of India’s people are below the age of 14 years, 18 per cent are in the 10 – 19 years age bracket and seven per cent are above the age of 65 years.
The debate is underway whether India’s billion plus population is a boon or a bane. Several reports are floating in public domain examining the potential and / or the burden of the people of the most populated country in the world. Estimates also reveal that India’s population will keep rising for three to four decades before it starts to decline.
Preparedness important
There is a huge responsibility on Indian legislators and policymakers to ensure there are enough resources and opportunities for India’s people, now and in the future. Government agencies, research institutions, think tanks and several international organisations are already working and collaborating to generate scenarios and work out pathways and solutions for a progressive and self-reliant India.
For example, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog – Government of India’s premier think tank) and the Government of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare including National Transfer Accounts (NTA) are already facilitating discussions and dialogue with UNFPA on various issues related to demographic dividend and population ageing in India.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. SDGs are a collection of seventeen inter-linked objectives that are to serve as a blueprint to ensure peace and prosperity, now and in the future. The goals are a universal call to action to end poverty and protect the planet.
India is a key global player and critical in determining the success of the Sustainable Development Goals, globally. At the 2015 UN Sustainable Development Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that ‘Sustainable development of one-sixth of humanity will be of great consequence to the world and our beautiful planet.’
Tracking relevant SDG indicators is important to track progress and effectiveness of population-related policies. NITI Aayog has been mapping SDGs schemes and targets and coordinating with pertinent ministries. State governments also play a vital role in effectively implementing SDGs with their ‘people first’ motto – ensuring no one is left behind and there are enough resources and opportunities for the growing population.
The population dynamics
Within India, the population dynamics vary from one state to another and from region to region. Policies and schemes must be devised keeping these dynamics at the forefront. For example, while Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have a young population, Punjab and Kerala have more ageing people.
A country with the largest number of ‘youth’ (15 – 24 years), a staggering 254 million, is nothing but a source of opportunities if planned carefully. The young are energetic, productive and innovative. It’s important to create an environment of growth and innovation and nurture it so that they can tap on the infinite possibilities.
Contrary to common notion, a larger population has several benefits. More people translate to a stronger and larger human capital. A large population that is productive can lead to higher economic growth, faster development, effective implementation of policies, a better quality of living and an overall improved and progressive society.
With an expanding youth segment in the population, there’s a need to provide them with the right resources to make them an enviable human capital – quality education and access, access to technology especially digital, skill training and upgradation, innovation and global exposure, etc.
Ensuring gender equality in terms of educational and work opportunities and empowerment is also crucial for a productive and progressive India. Empowerment must be in the truest sense where young girls and women can not only uplift themselves but also contribute in nation building and social transformation towards a more inclusive society.
India has made significant progress in this regard. Teenage marriages have reduced from 47 per cent to 27 per cent and teenage fertility from 16 per cent to seven per cent. More and more women are now getting educated and participating in the workforce.
India’s population is the highest in the world now but it also has a very large working age population and this works in her favour. A bigger working population group means there is more economic growth, primarily because there are more working people and less dependents leading to higher rate of economic activity.
The working age population in India has grown from 50 per cent to 65 per cent since Independence, so there is a decrease in the dependency ratio i.e., the number of children and elderly persons per working age population.
In the next three decades, the number of people working and ‘independent’ is only going to increase. This is a promising trend as it will boost economic growth and make sure there are ample opportunities for India’s young brigade ready to jump in the economic cycle.
Proactive government
The government has been very active in terms of monitoring of policy effectiveness and planning to meet the demands of the growing population in the future. Steps are being taken to help India’s youth achieve their potential and meet their aspirations, and at the same time contribute to nation’s development. The motto of the government furthering Aatmanirbhar Bharat is ‘no one is left behind.’
India is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. A major factor in sustaining and pushing economic expansion is India’s demographic dividend, in this case a large segment of youth. Demographic dividend is the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population’s age structure and is mainly manifested when the share of working-age population is larger than the non-working-age share of the population.
Policies are being made and missions established to make sure a self-reliant India of the future rests on the shoulders of an empowered youth. The government has rolled out several important initiatives to facilitate holistic development and involve the youth. Some examples are Start-Up India, Fit India, Make in India, Digital India, National Education Policy, Science Technology & Innovation Policy, etc.
Any progressive country is built on a healthy population. Growing population has growing healthcare needs as well. The Aspirational Districts Programme launched in 2018 aims to quickly and effectively transform 112 most under-developed districts across India and focuses on health, nutrition and education. It is an important development initiative with a futuristic approach.
To expand India’s economy and create more jobs, the government’s ambitious and successful ‘Make in India’ scheme launched in 2014 has been transforming the country into a global design and manufacturing hub.
Efforts are being made under ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas aur Sabka Vishwas’ to improve living standards of people and ensure inclusive growth for all. In the near future, India’s work-eligible population should be able to fully and productively participate in the expanding economy. The government is working on policies focusing on growth, inclusion and sustainability with the aim of population stabilisation and furtherance of India’s developmental goals.
(Anushka Singh works with DraftCraft International as a Media Researcher and writes mostly on issues affecting the Fourth Estate. She likes reading contrarian literature and analysing sources of news.)