Charting a path for the population committee

• Recently, the interim Budget announced a high-powered committee to address challenges from rapid population growth and demographic changes.
• The committee aims to make recommendations aligning with the goal of 'Viksit Bharat'.
• This will mean addressing issues such as family planning, maternal and child health, education, employment, and socio-economic development.

Interdisciplinary Approach

• The committee must adopt an interdisciplinary approach, drawing expertise from various fields like demography, public health, economics, sociology, and governance.
• The committee should identify emerging issues and evaluate the effectiveness of existing interventions.
  • Through rigorous research, data analysis, and monitoring of demographic trends.
• Collaboration with stakeholders is crucial for effective policy formulation and implementation.
  • These include non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, academia, and the private sector.
• The population committee should also facilitate international collaboration and the exchange of best practices in population management.
• In addition, the committee should lay emphasis on public awareness and education campaigns.

Past, Present, and Future Demographic Trends

• India's demographic landscape has shifted significantly, with declining fertility rates and an increasing working-age population.
  • The TFR is projected to touch 1.73 in 2031-35 from 2.5 in 2009-11, in India.
• Despite a slowdown in population growth, India's population is projected to reach 1.46 billion by 2030 (according to the latest projections by the United Nations).
• The demographic dividend presents economic growth opportunities but requires investments in health, education, and skill development.

Health, Education, Employment Challenges

• Access to quality healthcare and education remains a challenge, with low public spending on health.
  • Public spending on health has remained around 1% of GDP.
• Investments in education and skill development are crucial, especially considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • According to UNICEF, nearly 47% of Indian youth may lack the necessary education and skills for employment by 2030.

Evidence-Based Decision Making

• A critical challenge for evidence-based policy is the availability of accurate and timely data.
• India faces significant challenges regarding the non-availability of current and reliable data on its population, which hampers evidence-based policymaking.
• Improving data infrastructure, modernizing data collection methods and ensuring data security are essential.
• Collaboration with international organizations can provide technical expertise and funding opportunities.

Conclusion

• India can achieve inclusive and sustainable development by adopting a holistic approach to population management.
• In addition, India should prioritise investments in health, education, employment, and statistical systems, and promote gender equality and social inclusion.
• Strategic planning, effective implementation, and international collaboration are crucial for navigating India's demographic transition.