History will be harsh on the current set of political leaders if they continue to squabble and miss the demographic opportunity
IT IS WELL known that India currently has the largest number of young citizens and the largest workforce in the world, with half of its population below the age of 27 years. With 67.3 per cent of the population now falling within the age bracket of 15-59 years, India has reached its demographic prime.
This is undoubtedly a significant advantage over other countries, particularly the US and China, where the median age is much higher, and the population is aging.
Currently, only seven per cent of India’s population is above the age of 65 years, compared to 17 per cent in the US and 21 per cent in Europe. The situation is even more challenging in countries like Japan, where the population is aging at an even faster pace.
However, what should cause serious concern among policymakers is that this demographic advantage will last only for the next 30 years. After this, India’s population will also start aging. Thus, this golden period presents a unique opportunity, but the crucial question remains: are we prepared—or even preparing—to fully capitalize on it?
While other countries plan ahead and prepare for the future, India remains embroiled in debates over its past.
Unfortunately, India’s health and education indicators, which are fundamental drivers of productivity and wealth creation, remain alarmingly poor. This is particularly concerning for young children, who will be steering the country over the next few decades. Successive governments have clearly failed to prioritize these two critical aspects of national development.
As per the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS), despite claims of rising literacy, only 42 per cent of females and about 50 per cent of males in the 15-49 age group have attended school for 10 years or more.
Among those in the 15-19 age group—who will soon enter the workforce—only 34 per cent of females and 36 per cent of males have completed at least 12 years of education.
But it’s not just about the years of education; the quality of primary and secondary education also leaves much to be desired. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 revealed that only 77 per cent of students aged 17-18 years could read a Class 2-level book. While the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated educational challenges, particularly in rural areas, these issues have persisted for years with minimal effort to provide the much-needed push for improvement.
Higher education and skill-based training fare no better. Educational institutions in India are producing graduates and postgraduates who may pass exams but lack the skills required for an ever-evolving job market, rendering many of them unemployable.
Another critical factor that directly impacts productivity is the health of the workforce and the population at large. Progress in this sector has been dismal and is a matter of serious concern. According to the NFHS 2023, 57 per cent of females and 25 per cent of males are anaemic.
Additionally, 67 per cent of children aged 6 to 59 months are anaemic, and only 11.3 per cent of children aged 6 to 23 months receive a minimally adequate diet. These children will form the core of the workforce in the coming decades, and their poor health poses a significant challenge for the country.
Projections indicate that India’s population will begin aging from 2030 onwards. Policymakers must address the looming issue of a poorly skilled and unhealthy workforce, compounded by an aging population.
Unfortunately, the nation’s focus seems misaligned with these pressing issues. Instead of addressing these critical challenges, we continue to slide backward, diverting attention to unproductive and regressive matters. While other countries plan ahead and prepare for the future, India remains embroiled in debates over its past.
History will undoubtedly judge the current set of political leaders harshly if they fail to rise above petty squabbles and do not lay the foundation for a strong, developed nation. 
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Vipin Pubby
The author, a freelance journalist, is a former Resident Editor of Indian Express, Chandigarh, and reported on the political developments in Jammu and Kashmir, North-Eastern India, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab in his long, illustrious career.
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