A Care in Crisis: India’s Aging Population and the Need for Strenghtened Eldercare

By 2050, India’s population aged 60 and over is expected to double. This shift reveals a feminisation of ageing, with elderly women facing heightened economic and social insecurity and often bearing a higher risk of loneliness and dependency.

India is facing a crisis in care as its population rapidly ages. Our new policy brief, co-authored with the Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE), explores the urgent need for strengthened eldercare. With a view on existing policies and challenges, the brief points to critical gaps in the eldercare economy that often disproportionately burden women.\n\nHowever, this growing sector also presents a significant opportunity. Formalising professional caregiving can create pathways for formal employment and entrepreneurship for women, helping to bridge gender disparities in care work and enhance women’s workforce participation. The brief discusses emerging models, the potential of technology, and the crucial need for standardisation and regulation to ensure quality care and dignified working conditions for caregivers.