Elderly lead better lives in Raj, Mizoram: Study

: Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Chandigarh are among the states and Union territories that are doing relatively better in supporting the well being of their ageing population in various categories, as per a new study.

The report ‘Index on Quality of Life for Elderly’, prepared by the Institute for Competitiveness, has shown that while Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh came on top in categories ‘Aged States’ and ‘Relatively Aged States’, respectively, Mizoram and Chandigarh fared better among ‘northeastern States’ and ‘Union Territories’, respectively.

The study, commissioned by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), was submitted to its chairman Bibek Debroy on Wednesday.

“India is often portrayed as a young society, with a consequent demographic dividend. But, as with every country that goes through a fast process of demographic transition, India also has graying-cum-ageing problem.

NEW DELHI

EAC-PM requested Dr Amit Kapoor and his team at Institute for Competitiveness to do a report on the problems faced by the elderly,” said Debroy.

IFC chairman Dr Amit Kapoor said without a proper diagnostic tool to understand implications of its ageing population, planning for the elderly can become a challenge for policymakers. “Using this index as a tool, the state governments and the stakeholders can identify the areas they need to work upon to provide their older generation with a comfortable life,” he said.

The Index framework included four pillars as financial well being, social well being, health system and income security, and eight sub-pillars such as economic empowerment, educational attainment & employment, social status, physical security, basic health, psychological well being, social security, and enabling environment.

The ‘Aged States’ refer to states with an elderly population of over 5 million, whereas ‘Relatively Aged States’ refer to those with an elderly population of less than 5 million.