India, Oct. 1 -- India's population is ageing rapidly, and with little social protection, poverty, and destitution, old age is emerging as a new development challenge. As per the India Ageing Report, older persons (above 60 years) currently constitute roughly 10.5% of the country's population - and are set to reach 20.8% by 2050. This International Day for Older Persons (October 1) should remind us that India is experiencing a feminisation of ageing, i.e., women outnumbering men in the elderly population. Nearly 54% of elderly women outlive their partners compared to only 16% elderly men. There are nearly 1,065 elderly women per 1,000 elderly men, higher in urban areas (1,084) compared to rural areas (1,055).

Women live longer but they t...