Karthik Unscripted: 20 Years of Thoughts and Insights: Living Longer in India: Are We Happier or Just Older? My story too!

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Introduction: A Milestone That Raises Questions

This week, The Economist ran a thought-provoking piece about India’s journey over the past 75 years since independence. One number stood out: our life expectancy has jumped from a mere 42 years in 1947 to 71 years today—just a year shy of the global average of 72. It’s a proud moment, isn’t it? Better healthcare, improved nutrition, and economic growth have added nearly three decades to our lives. But here’s the catch—are we truly happier or more satisfied with these extra years? Or are we just living longer with more worries?

The truth is, as Indians live longer, the way we live is changing fast. The joint family system that once held us together is fading. Cities are growing, nuclear families are the norm, and fewer babies are being born. Soon, India will have more people over 60 than ever before—some say by 2050, one in five of us will be elderly. This shift is a double-edged sword. While the young sweat to keep the economy running, the old face loneliness, financial insecurity, and a rising cost of living. So, what’s the point of living longer if these uncertainties loom large? Let’s dig deeper into this, look at some numbers, and figure out what India—and all of us—can do about it.

The Numbers Tell a Story

Let’s start with the facts. In 1947, when India became free, the average Indian lived to 42—barely enough time to see grandkids. Today, at 71, we’re close to the global average of 72 (World Health Organization, 2021). Compare this to other countries:

Japan: 84 years—world leader, but with an aging crisis.
USA: 77 years—wealthy, but healthcare costs are sky-high.
China: 77 years—another big nation aging fast.
Brazil: 76 years—a growing economy like ours, facing similar shifts.

Back home, the elderly population (60+) is exploding. In 2021, we had 138 million seniors, up from 104 million in 2011 (Government of India, 2021). By 2050, the UN predicts this will hit 347 million—20% of our population. That’s more people than the entire USA today! Meanwhile, our fertility rate has dropped from 6 kids per woman in the 1950s to just 2 now—below the replacement level of 2.1 (National Family Health Survey, 2019-21). Fewer kids mean fewer hands to care for the old.

The Social Fabric: Unraveling Threads

Once, joint families were our strength. Grandparents lived with kids and grandkids under one roof—sharing stories, meals, and burdens. Today, urbanization has changed that. Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru pull young people away for jobs, leaving parents behind in villages or small towns. Nuclear families—mum, dad, and maybe one or two kids—are now common. A 2023 UNFPA India Ageing Report says over 40% of elderly Indians are in the poorest wealth bracket, and one in five has no income. Add inflation—rising costs of food, rent, and medicine—and it’s a tough life.

Then there’s loneliness. Twenty years ago, joint families meant no one ate alone. Now, mental health issues are creeping in. A survey by HelpAge India found 30-50% of elderly folks show signs of depression, especially widows living solo. The old ways of community living are fading, and with them, the emotional safety net.

The Economic Burden: Young vs. Old

Here’s another worry: who pays the bills? With more elderly and fewer young people, the “dependency ratio” (elderly per 100 working-age people) is climbing. It was 14.2% in 2011, hit 15.7% in 2021, and could reach 20.1% by 2031 (Government of India, 2021). The young are stretched thin—working hard, saving little, and supporting ageing parents. Meanwhile, less than 11% of elderly Indians have pensions (PRB, 2023). Inflation makes it worse—think of how dal and petrol prices keep shooting up. For the old, it’s a struggle to afford even basic healthcare.

Are We Happier? The Big Question

Living to 71 is a win, but happiness isn’t guaranteed. The extra years come with uncertainties: Will I have enough money? Will my kids visit? Will I be healthy? A longer life feels empty if it’s spent worrying or alone. The Economist calls these “golden years,” but for many Indians, they’re turning grey with stress.

Solutions: What Can We Do?

India’s 1.5 billion people make this a giant challenge—bigger than Japan’s 125 million or the USA’s 330 million. But other countries offer ideas we can adapt. Here’s what the Government of India, states, and NGOs can do, plus some lessons from abroad:

Strengthen Pensions and Savings
- What India Can Do: Only a few states like Odisha and Rajasthan have near-universal pensions. The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) needs a revamp—higher amounts, wider reach. Start schemes where young people save early for old age, like Japan’s mandatory pension system.
- Global Lesson: Japan’s elderly get solid pensions, letting them live with dignity. Nordic countries like Sweden mix public and private savings—everyone chips in from youth.
Affordable Healthcare for All
- What India Can Do: Build more geriatric (old-age) clinics, especially in villages. Subsidize medicines and expand Ayushman Bharat to cover chronic diseases like diabetes, which 75% of elderly face (LASI Report, 2023).
- Global Lesson: Germany’s public healthcare covers long-term care for seniors—India could partner with NGOs for similar outreach.
Fight Loneliness with Community
- What India Can Do: Create “intergenerational hubs”—spaces where seniors and youth meet. Think community centres with storytelling, skill-sharing, or childcare by grandparents. Revive joint family vibes in a modern way.
- Global Lesson: Singapore’s “intergenerational housing” puts young and old in shared spaces—fostering bonds. South Korea uses tech to connect seniors with families via apps.
Jobs for the Elderly
- What India Can Do: 40% of seniors want to work “as long as possible” (HelpAge India). Offer part-time jobs or skill training—think tutoring, handicrafts, or gardening.
- Global Lesson: The USA’s “Silver Expertise” programs hire retirees for mentorship—India’s startups could tap this wisdom.
Tackle Inflation and Costs
- What India Can Do: Control prices of essentials—food, fuel, meds. Subsidize housing for the elderly, like Tamil Nadu’s old-age homes.
- Global Lesson: Brazil caps utility bills for low-income seniors—India could try this for basics.
Mental Health Support
- What India Can Do: Train counselors for elderly depression. NGOs can run helplines or “chai-and-chat” groups in every town.
- Global Lesson: The UK’s “Befriending Networks” pair volunteers with lonely seniors—simple but effective.

Learning from Others, Scaling for India

Japan, with 28% of its population over 65, invests in robots and tech for eldercare—India could explore affordable tech like telemedicine. Germany’s social insurance covers all ages—our EPF and NPS could expand similarly. The USA’s community programs keep seniors active—we could blend this with our culture of family ties. Yes, our 1.5 billion scale is unique, but small pilots in states like Kerala (already ageing fast) can show the way.

The Way Forward: A Call to Action

Living longer is a gift, but it’s up to us to make it golden. The Government of India must act—boost pensions, build healthcare, and fight loneliness. States like Bihar (still young) and Kerala (already old) need tailored plans. NGOs, with their grassroots reach, can bridge gaps—think HelpAge India’s work during COVID. And we, as families and neighbors, must step up—visit our elders, listen to them, include them.

So, are we happier living longer? Not yet, maybe. But with smart moves, we can be. Let’s not just add years to life—let’s add life to those years. What do you think—how can we make this work in our homes, our India?

My Story: Facing the Future at 61

As I write this, I’m 61, living in Bangalore with my wife, Lalitha. Our kids are settled far away—too far for them to ever move back. My siblings? They’re scattered too, and since we’re not from Bangalore, catching up even once a year feels like a distant dream. So here we are, just the two of us, figuring out life on our own terms.

It’s not easy. I’ve spent decade building a business—manufacturing, the kind that needs me on my feet, traveling, meeting people. Physical work has been my fuel. But I know a day will come when my body says, “Enough!” Age creeps up, doesn’t it? And when that happens, how do I stay engaged? How do I keep my mind sharp, my spirit motivated? I’m a High D type—driven, independent, the “I don’t mind, you don’t matter” attitude. I can be an island, happy in my own world. But will that work when I’m 70? Will it be enough?

Mental health weighs on me too. Video calls with the kids and future grandkids are a blessing—technology keeps us close in a way. But it’s not the same as a hug, a shared meal, or their laughter filling the house. That flesh-and-blood touch? It’s fading. Bangalore isn’t helping either—traffic snarls, infrastructure chaos, and the urban mess make meeting friends or even stepping out a battle. In a decade, will I still have the energy to fight through it just to see a familiar face?

Yet, I’m not one to back down. Lalitha and I are resilient—positive, even. Old age is a challenge, sure, but I say, “Bring it on!” I’ve started small—gardening on our balcony, reading more, maybe even picking up a hobby like sketching (though I’m terrible at it!). I dream of a local “chai circle” where folks my age swap stories, or maybe mentoring young entrepreneurs with whatever wisdom I’ve got left. The trick, I think, is to keep moving—physically, mentally, emotionally—even when the world feels far away.

This is my story, but maybe it’s yours too. Living longer is a gift, but it’s up to us to fill those years with meaning. I don’t have all the answers yet. How about you—how will you face your golden years? Let’s figure it out together, one step at a time.

Karthik

3rd March 2025

9am.