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UPSC Prelims 2008 · Indian Geography · People and Settlements
What is the approximate percentage of persons above 65 years of age in India’s current population?
- (a) 14-15%
- (b) 11-12%
- (c) 8-9%
- (d) 5-6%
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (d) 5-6%
People over 65 formed about 5% of India’s population (Census 2001), about 6% in 2011.
The idea
An elderly-population share depends on the exact age cutoff. People aged 60+ and those aged 65+ are overlapping but unequal groups. “Current” in a 2008 PYQ refers to that exam period, rather than the year in which the question is read.
Why the others are wrong
(a) That is the level of ageing Europe.
(b) Too high.
(c) Too high for 2008.
The trap
People over 60 (about 8–9%) is a different figure from people over 65.
Also know
The demographic-dividend grouping often uses ages 15–64 for working age and 65+ for old-age dependency. Indian policy discussions commonly use 60+ for older persons. Longer survival and lower fertility tend to raise the elderly share, while pension and health needs depend on more than age alone.
🔒 Census 2011: 0–14 ≈ 31%, 15–59 ≈ 60%, 60+ ≈ 8.6%. India’s median age ≈ 28.
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