Status of Elderly in Himachal Pradesh :

UNFPA  (United Nations Population Fund )and its partner Institutions conducted a sample survey (September 2011) in seven states, including Himachal Pradesh, to better understand the experiences and vulnerabilities of elderly and bring out issues needing policy and programme attention in order to improve their wellbeing. In Himachal Pradesh, a total of 1,482 elderly were interviewed of which there were 752 elderly men and 730 elderly women.

Elderly- The Fastest Growing Age Segment :

Himachal Pradesh has 7 lakh persons aged 60 years and above, constituting 10.2% of its total population, which is higher than the national average of 8.6% (Census 2011). Between 1991 and 2011, overall population in the state increased 37%; the 60+ population increased 67%; and the 80+ which is the fastest growing age segment, increased by 87%. The elderly population is estimated to grow 3.1% annually and is expected to reach 1.1 million by 2026, which would be about 15% of the state’s total population by that year.

 The life expectancy at birth is 70.5 years, however, at age 60, elderly men are expected to live another 18 years and women another 20.8 years (SRS, 2008- 12). Hence among the elderly, women outnumber men. Overall, there are 972 females per 1,000 males in the state, but among the elderly, there are 1,062 women per 1,000 men. 

As 90% of state population lives in rural areas, aging is also largely a rural phenomenon in the state with 92% of the elderly living in rural areas. And these elderly are not evenly distributed across the districts. According to Census 2011, in Hamirpur elderly constitute 13.8% of the total population, followed by Bilaspur (11.9%), Kangra (11.7%) and Una (11.5%). The lowest proportion is in Solan and Sirmaur (8%).

Work Life of Elderly Marked by No Retirement, No Benefits yet High Economic Need :

Two-fifths of the elderly men (38%) are currently working in the state, with no major variations between those living in rural or urban areas. Only 3% of the elderly women are currently working. Among younger elderly men (60-64 years), work participation is higher at 48% which decreases steadily with advancing age to a level of 21% among very old elderly men (80 years and above). 

Among those working, nine out of ten elderly are main workers (defined as those working for more than 6 months in a year). Employment in farming or cultivation is more common among the rural elderly (43%) while majority of the urban elderly (61%) are employed in other activities. 

Work participation of the elderly is largely driven by economic or other compulsions. More than half of the elderly are compelled to work out of such necessity. They are largely employed in unskilled low paid jobs with no retirement age, no job security, and no benefits after they can no longer work. About 34% of elderly men and only 2% of elderly women receive some retirement benefit. Higher incidence of widowhood further deepens vulnerability of elderly women in the state. 

 As the state population steadily ages, the working age population on which the elderly depend will also gradually decrease – a situation that would need adequate policy response to maintain quality of life of elderly in the state particularly when about 92% of them live in rural areas.

Income Profile of Elderly Largely Marked by Low or No Income :

 42% of the elderly in the state do not have any personal income, and another 18% have an annual income less than Rs. 24,000. Elderly women are particularly worse off as 68% of them have no personal income compared to only 15% among their male counterparts. Consequently, 69% of elderly women are fully dependent while only 18% of elderly men are dependents.

Sons are the main support providers (36%), followed by spouses (22%). Daughters provide support to only 1.5% of the elderly. 42% of the elderly women receive economic support from their sons as compared to 30% elderly men.

Majority of Elderly Live with Family and that’s They Prefer :

Nearly three-fourths of the elderly (71%) lives with their family members. Those living with children and grandchildren, including spouse, is 44% and another 27% living in the family but without spouse, due to their widowhood status. By virtue of more married elderly men, higher percentages are living with the family, including spouse (59%) compared to 29% of the elderly women. 

 One-fifth of the elderly in the state (18.5%) are living only with their spouse with higher proportion of men (22%) compared to their counterparts (15%). Gender differentials are also marked in living alone, with higher percentage of elderly women (6%) compared to men (only 2%). 

 More than 95% are comfortable and satisfied with their present living arrangements and this is true across gender and place of residence. Majority of the elderly preferred to live with their spouse (54% men and 45% women), followed by sons (28% men and 33% women).

Respect for Elderly -  A Good Family Tradition in Himachal Pradesh :

 Elderly play an important role in decision-making of the households such as arrangements for social and religious events, distribution of gifts to relatives, buying household items and property. Only about 10% of the women and 3% of the men do not have any role in such household decision-making in the state. 

 More than half of the elderly (53%) participated in public meetings on local, community or political affairs during the 12 months preceding the survey. Such participation was lower among elderly women (41%). 

 About 12% of the respondents have reported experiencing some form of abuse after turning 60, which is slightly higher among rural elderly.

Elderly Perceive Low Levels of Health, Functionality and Mental Wellbeing :

On self-rating of health status, nearly half of the elderly (53%) mentioned that they have excellent, very good or good health, with slightly higher proportion of men stating this. One-third of the elderly rated their health as fair and only around 15% mentioned it as poor. 

8% of the elderly need full or partial assistance for carrying out at least one of the six activities of daily living (feeding, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, mobility and continence). This is slightly higher at 10% among elderly women. 

The mental health of the elderly was captured through General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) by asking whether the respondent has experienced a particular symptom or behavior recently. About one third of the elderly (36%) are suffering from psychological distress and the proportion is higher among women, widows and the rural elderly as compared to their counterparts.

Good Array of Social Security Schemes for Elderly but Coverage is Limited :

 A significant proportion of the elderly are aware of the two social security schemes: the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (87%) and the Indira Gandhi National Widowhood Pension Scheme (74%) and less than half are aware of Annapurna Scheme (48%). The awareness is higher among elderly men than women both in rural and urban areas.

                      The demographic ageing of population has implications at the macro and also at household level. The growing number of persons 60+ in the coming decade will belong to the middle and upper income groups. A significant number of older persons between the age of 60 years to 70 years are young old active and healthy and looking for opportunities for a more active , creative and satisfying life.