The growth rate of the elderly population in India saw a sharp increase from 2001 onward after a series of successive falls. According to projections for 2021-31, the growth rate was expected to be five times the growth rate of the total population.

In 2021, the projected old age dependency rate was around 15.7 percent. And it was expected to reach 20.1 percent in 2031. The old age dependency ratio in India is seeing a gradual rise since the past few years. Projections reflect a steep rise in old age dependency from 2021 to 2031.

According to a survey carried out among the elderly in India, approximately 26 percent of those living in the urban areas had jobs or gainful engagements as their primary source of income as of February 2023. However, around 36 percent in rural areas had no source of income as of that year.

In 2021, Kerala reflected the highest share of its population belonging to the elderly age group with 16.5 percent as opposed to only 10.5 percent in 2001. This was an increase in six percent in two decades.

According to a survey carried out in February 2023 in India, over half of the respondents claimed that they were not dependent on their children or others for their financial needs for healthcare. Furthermore, almost 50 percent of them were self-dependent or dependent on their own spouse for healthcare.

According to a survey carried out in 2021 in India, approximately 30 percent of elderly people received some form of monthly government pension as their primary source of income to support themselves through old age. By contrast, around 17 percent of elderly people had absolutely no form of income and were dependent on others in the family to support them.

This dataset contains the decadal growth rates of general population and elderly population in India during different census years.

The elderly population (ageing 60 above) in India is increasing and is projected to climb by 11% point between 2010 to 2050 (UNPD, 2011). Due to better living condition and improved well-being, better health care system, availability of medicines, awareness among the people the mortality rate has reduced substantially. This demography brings a new economic and social concerns afront. The present work tries to investigate the health perception, nature and status of ailment and treatment availed by this part of population in India along with their demographic profile. The database used in the study is the 71st round dataset of National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO). The work gives a brief review of the recent policies and initiatives taken to end the health challenges faced by the ageing population. Probable policy recommendations have been made that can potentially address the health concerns of the elderly in the country.

This dataset contains the number of females per 100 males, i.e. gender ratio, for the elderly population and general population.

According to a survey carried out among the elderly in India, the majority of respondents claimed that they did not avail of any benefit from government sponsored healthcare schemes. On the other hand, only 24 percent claimed that they did.

According to a survey in India, the share of elderly population that responded as ailing was the highest in Kerala among females with around 63 percent in 2017. The share of males who responded as ill was over 61 percent during the same time period.

Demographics Understanding the size and composition of India’s population through the use of key demographic metrics is indispensable for planning purposes. India’s population has been steadily increasing over the years. This growth rate can be attributed to reduced death rates in the country as a result of the implementation of diverse health interventions since 1981.

Economic status

The old-age dependency metric is used to gauge the ratio between the old-age and the working-age demographic. A higher ratio is suggestive of financial stress on the working population and consequently the economy. By inference, this would also indicate a drop in the quality of health care and pensions for the elderly. In India, this ratio is projected to increase to over 20 percent in the next decade.

Embark on a captivating journey into the timeless realm of India's elderly with the "Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Dataset." Immerse yourself in a treasure trove of data that unfolds the stories, struggles, and triumphs of individuals as they navigate the passage of time. Unravel the intricate interplay of health, wealth, and social dynamics shaping their lives. Discover hidden patterns, precious insights, and unexpected connections that paint a vivid portrait of ageing in this diverse and culturally rich nation. Delve into this innovative repository of knowledge, where data whispers tales of resilience, wisdom, and the essence of what it truly means to age gracefully in India.

According to a survey carried out among the elderly in India, the majority of respondents admitted they were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. More elderly women faced issues as opposed to men during the pandemic.

This dataset contains the gender and place of residence wise elderly population above 60 years in India.

Abstract

The Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) aims to understand the situation of India’s elderly population by collecting data on their health, social situations, and economic circumstances. It will provide a foundation for innovative, rigorous, and multidisciplinary studies of aging in India that will inform policy and advance scientific knowledge. Its goal is to provide data harmonized with the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and its sister studies around the world. A pilot study has been conducted that includes household survey data, Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) and molecular biomarkers. The results of the pilot study will inform the design of a full-scale, nationally representative LASI, with a sample of roughly 30,000 to be followed longitudinally (with refresher populations added as needed). Due to its harmonized design with parallel international studies, LASI will contribute to scientific insights and policy development in other countries as well. LASI will ultimately be part of a worldwide effort aimed at understanding how different institutions, cultures, and policies can understand and prepare for population ageing.

Documentation

You can download the pilot data at the Harvard Program on the Global Demography of Aging website

Methodology

The LASI pilot survey targeted 1,600 individuals aged 45 and older and their spouses, and will inform the design and rollout of a full-scale, nationally representative LASI survey. The expectation is that LASI will be a biennial survey and will be representative of Indians aged 45 and older, with no upper age limit.

1,600 age-qualifying individuals were drawn from a stratified, multistage area probability sampling design. After a series of pre-pilot studies designed to test the instrument and the key ideas behind it, pilot data were collected through face-to-face interviews over three month time periods. Descriptive analyses of the data will be performed and lessons will be drawn to inform the launching of a full-scale LASI survey.

The LASI pilot survey was conducted in four states: Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, and Rajasthan. To capture regional variation we have included two northern states (Punjab and Rajasthan) and two southern states (Karnataka and Kerala). Karnataka and Rajasthan were included in the Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE), which will enable us to compare our findings with the SAGE data. The inclusion of Kerala and Punjab demonstrates our aim to obtain a broader representation of India, where geographic variations accompanied by socioeconomic and cultural differences call for careful study and deliberation. Punjab is an example of an economically developed state, while Rajasthan is relatively poor, with very low female literacy, high fertility, and persisting gender disparities. Kerala, which is known for its relatively efficient health care system, has undergone rapid social development and is included as a potential harbinger of how other Indian states might evolve.

According to a survey carried out among the elderly in India, the primary reason for poor health conditions among the majority of respondents with medical issues, was related to restricted mobility with almost 25 percent.

Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, female (%) in India was reported at 30.29 % in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Population ages 65 and above for India (SPPOP65UPTOZSIND) from 1960 to 2024 about 65-years +, India, and population.

In India, the perception of 59 percent of the elderly population living in the rural areas about their current state of health relative to chronic illness was classified as good from 2017 to 2018. Conversely, during the same time period, 39 percent of the elderly living in rural areas claimed they had a poor state of health.

Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, male (%) in India was reported at 61.67 % in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, male - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.