Kerala has announced a new department for welfare of senior citizens

The newly elected government in Kerala has announced the establishment of a dedicated Department for Senior Citizens’ Welfare, becoming the first state in India to create an exclusive department for addressing issues related to the elderly population.

At present, welfare measures for senior citizens in the state are administered under the Social Welfare Department. The new department is intended to provide focused policy attention and institutional support to the rapidly growing elderly population in Kerala.

 Rising Elderly Population in Kerala

According to the Elderly in India Report 2021, Kerala has one of the highest proportions of elderly persons in the country. 

• Around 16.5% of Kerala’s population is above 60 years of age.
• This share is projected to increase to 20.9% by 2031.
• In comparison, the all-India elderly population is expected to be around 13.1% by 2031.

Increase in Old Age Dependency Ratio

The report also highlights a sharp rise in Kerala’s old age dependency ratio, which measures the number of elderly persons per 100 individuals in the working-age population.

Dependency Ratio in Kerala

• 2011: 19.6%
• 2021: 26.1%

The increase reflects:

• Rising life expectancy
• Declining fertility rates
• Migration of working-age population
• Growing pressure on healthcare and social security systems.