Economic Aspects of Aging in India: The Multi-Generational Issues

The focus of this article is on the economic situation of people in India between 15 and 59 years of age, and those 60 years of age and over. It argues that the plight of senior citizens in India cannot be improved without improvement in education, training and employment opportunities for younger persons. This is because the economic welfare of one generation is dependent on the economic condition of other generations. Further, the paper argues that retirement planning should begin at the start of work life and not when one is nearing 50 years of age. In light of this, the paper describes the employment, education and training realities in India faced by those 15 to 59 and over 60 years of age. It also describes measures that the government of India has initiated to improve the education, training and employment opportunities for those 15 years of age and older, and specific economic measures for improving the status of senior citizens. (C) 2006 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.