The proportion of people under 15 years of age is projected to decline between 2011 and 2036.
The sex ratio in India is expected to improve to 952 women per 1,000 men in 2036 from 943 in 2011, according to a report ‘Women and Men in India 2023’ released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on Monday.
The report highlights that India’s population in 2036 is expected to be more female compared to that in 2011, as reflected in the sex ratio which is projected to increase from 943 in 2011 to 952 in 2036, highlighting a positive trend in gender equality.
By 2036, India’s population is expected to reach 152.2 crore, with the percentage of women slightly improved to 48.8 percent compared to 48.5 percent in 2011, the report said.
The proportion of people under 15 is projected to decline between 2011 and 2036, likely due to declining fertility, he said.
In contrast, the proportion of the population aged 60 years or older is projected to increase substantially over this period.
It is evident that from 2016 to 2020, the Age-Specific Fertility Rate (ASR) in the age group 20 to 24 and 25 to 29 has decreased from 135.4 and 166.0 to 113.6 and 139.6 respectively.
The ASFR for the age group 35-39 years during the mentioned period has increased from 32.7 to 35.6, which shows that after settling down in life, women are thinking about expanding the family.
The adolescent fertility rate was 33.9 for the illiterate population, while for the literate population it was 11.0 in 2020.
This rate is considerably lower even for those who are literate but have no formal education (20.0) compared to illiterate women, again highlighting the importance of providing education to women.
The age-specific fertility rate is defined as the number of live births in a specific age group of women per thousand female population of that age group.
The maternal mortality rate (MMR) is one of the SDG indicators and reducing it to 70 by 2030 is explicitly set out in the SDG framework, she said.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Government, India has successfully achieved the important milestone of reducing its maternal mortality rate (97/0,000 live births in 2018-20) on time and it should also be possible to achieve the SDG target.
The maternal mortality rate (MMR) refers to the number of women who die as a result of complications of pregnancy or childbirth in a given year per 100,000 live births in that year.
The infant mortality rate has been declining over the years for both men and women. The female infant mortality rate had always been higher than the male rate, but in 2020, the two were equal, at a level of 28 babies per 1,000 live births.
Data on the under-5 mortality rate shows that it has decreased from 43 in 2015 to 32 in 2020. The same is true for boys and girls and the gap between boys and girls has also narrowed.
According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey, the labour force participation rate of persons aged 15 years and above has increased from 2017-18 onwards, for both the male and female populations.
It is observed that the male LFPR increased from 75.8 to 78.5 during 2017-18 to 2022-23 and the female LFPR increased from 23.3 to 37 during the same period.
The labor force participation rate (LFPR) is defined as the percentage of people in the labor force in the population.
Until the 15th national elections (1999), less than 60 percent of women voters participated, and male participation was 8 percentage points higher.
However, the 2014 elections marked a significant change, as women’s participation increased to 65.6 percent, and rose further to 67.2 percent in the 2019 elections.
For the first time, voter turnout was marginally higher among women, highlighting the impact of increased literacy and political awareness among women.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recognised a total of 1,17,254 new companies since their establishment in January 2016 to December 2023.
Of these, 55,816 startups are led by women, accounting for 47.6 percent of the total recognized startups. This significant representation underlines the growing influence and contribution of women entrepreneurs in India’s startup ecosystem.
According to the statement, the publication is a comprehensive and in-depth document that attempts to provide a holistic view of the situation of women and men in India and provides data on a wide range of issues such as population, education, health, participation in the economy, participation in decision making, etc., among others.
It presents data disaggregated by gender, urban-rural gap and geographic region, helping to understand the disparities that exist between different groups of women and men.
The publication includes important indicators derived from official data published by different ministries, departments and organizations.
Women and Men in India 2023 not only highlights the progress made towards gender equality but also identifies areas where significant gaps remain.
By examining various socio-economic indicators, the publication provides an analysis of trends over time, thus enabling policy makers, researchers and the general public to make informed decisions and contribute to the development of gender-sensitive policies.
The report is a vital resource for understanding demographic changes and their implications for women and men in India. It serves as a vital tool for advocacy and action to promote gender equality and ensure that development initiatives are inclusive and sustainable.
First published: August 12, 2024 | 10:35 PM IS
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