Charting a path for the population committee Premium

The population committee should also facilitate international collaboration and the exchange of best practices in population management

The announcement in the interim Budget of a “high-powered committee to extensively consider the challenges arising from rapid population growth and demographic changes” is groundbreaking.

Given its multifaceted mandate, as it is to make “recommendations on how to address these challenges in line with the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’”, the anticipation is that there will be a formulation of policies and strategies to manage population growth. This will mean addressing issues such as family planning, maternal and child health, education, employment, and socio-economic development. To do so, this population committee must adopt an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on expertise from fields such as demography, public health, economics, sociology, and governance.

Through rigorous research, data analysis, and a monitoring of demographic trends, the committee should identify emerging issues and evaluate the effectiveness of existing interventions. Collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, academia, and the private sector, is essential to fostering partnerships and enabling collective action to carry out population-related policies and programmes at the national and grass-root levels. In addition to policy formulation and implementation, the committee should lay emphasis on public awareness and education campaigns. By empowering individuals and communities with accurate information and resources, it should promote responsible family planning practices and improve health outcomes. The population committee should also facilitate international collaboration and the exchange of best practices in population management.

India’s demographic landscape has undergone significant shifts over the years. With women having fewer children, the working-age population increasing, and the elderly population rising steadily, there has been a decrease in the dependency ratio, leading to economic growth. However, navigating the opportunities and challenges presented by these demographic changes will significantly shape India’s future economic and demographic landscape.

According to the latest projections by the United Nations, India’s population is expected to reach 1.46 billion by 2030, comprising 17% of the world’s projected population. While India experienced phenomenal population growth until the 1970s, growth rates have slowed since then, with fertility levels in steady decline. This decline, which is reflected in the Total Fertility Rate (TFR), has been instrumental in shaping India’s demographic trajectory. With the TFR projected to touch 1.73 in 2031-35 from 2.5 in 2009-11 to, India will witness a demographic transition characterised by a decreasing proportion of the child population and an increasing proportion of the working-age population.

The demographic dividend, resulting from a sustained drop in fertility rates and an increased concentration of the population in the working age group, presents an opportunity for accelerated economic growth per capita. However, realising this potential necessitates investments in health, education, and skill development to harness the demographic dividend effectively. Projections for life expectancy in India also show positive trends, with female and male life expectancies expected to rise. Moreover, the proportion of the working age population is projected to increase, giving India an opportunity to capitalise on its demographic advantage.

To maximise the benefits of a favourable age distribution, India must invest in greater development of its human capital. This includes initiatives to create new jobs, integrate the informal sector with the formal sector, and empower the female labour force to increase their participation rate. Additionally, efforts to address gender disparities, improve access to education and health care, and promote family planning practices are crucial in ensuring inclusive and sustainable development.