India is entering an uncomfortable demographic phase. The country is getting older at a time when it is still working toward higher levels of economic prosperity, creating a growing mismatch between the needs of an aging population and the capacity of families and health systems to provide long-term care. A white paper by Transform Rural India estimates that nearly 347 million Indians, or about one in five people, will be aged 60 years or older by 2050. Nearly 70% of older adults are expected to live in rural areas, making villages a major focal point of the country's aging challenge.
Fewer working-age adults, more care responsibilities The demographic support ratio is already moving in the wrong direction. The number of working-age adults available to support each older person is projected to fall from 8.4 in 2001 to 5.2 by 2026. This shift is occurring alongside major changes in…
