India to Become Significantly Older This Century as Fertility Falls Below Replacement Level: Moody’s
What Happened
Moody’s Ratings said India’s demographic profile is beginning to change as fertility has fallen below the replacement rate, a level at which a population replaces itself from one generation to the next. As a result, India is expected to have a much larger elderly population later this century. The ratings agency noted that while India currently benefits from a relatively young workforce, the country's age structure is gradually shifting toward older age groups.
Key Takeaways
A growing elderly population could increase pressure on healthcare, pensions and social security systems, while potentially slowing workforce growth and economic expansion over the long term. However, India still retains a demographic advantage compared with many developed economies because its population remains relatively young today.