Turning Ageing into Advantage

Needonomics and Bharat’s Silver Economy

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Bharat is often hailed as a young nation, drawing strength from its demographic dividend with a median age below thirty.

Yet, the philosophy of Needonomics reminds us that change is inevitable and must be anticipated with wisdom. Beneath this image of youth lies a profound demographic transition—ageing is no longer a distant concern but a visible reality. A society is called ageing when more than 7 percent of its citizens are above 65 years, aged when the share rises beyond 14 percent and super-aged once it crosses 20 percent. Countries like Japan, Italy, and Germany have already crossed these thresholds, facing shrinking workforces and rising pension burdens, but also discovering new opportunities for innovation and inclusive growth.

Bharat too will not remain young forever. The National Commission on Population estimates that by 2036, over 15 percent of Indians will be above the age of 60. The United Nations projects this number to reach around 300 million—greater than the entire population of the United States today. This shift is less than fifteen years away.

From a Needonomics perspective, the real question is not whether Bharat will age, but how wisely it prepares to transform this inevitability into an opportunity for dignity, productivity, and prosperity for all.

Beyond Dependency: Promise of the Silver Economy

Ageing is often misinterpreted solely as a story of dependency and social burden. Yet globally, the “silver economy”—the economic opportunities associated with senior citizens—has already grown into a multi-trillion-dollar engine of growth, sustaining jobs and driving innovation. In Bharat, older households will emerge as one of the largest consumer segments in the coming decades. They will generate demand for healthcare, housing, financial services, entertainment, wellness, and digital products. Each of these is a potential growth market that can accelerate inclusive development.