DEMOGRAPHY AND DEMOCRACY - MOVING FORWARD WITH BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES

Census 2027 must go beyond headcount to capture actionable health data: age, disability, sanitation, healthcare access, and household risk factors

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On July 11, 1987, the world population reached five billion, prompting the UN to establish World Population Day in 1989. The day highlights crucial issues such as family planning, gender equality, maternal and child health, and human rights.

Now, with over eight billion globally, progress is visible, but challenges remain. India, the most populous nation, has advanced in healthcare and innovation, yet regional disparities persist. Tertiary care thrives in urban centres, but rural and marginalised communities still face major gaps in access, infrastructure, and preventive care.

World Population Day reminds us that population growth is not just a number. It demands action. Health systems must be inclusive, sustainable, and rooted in both technology and community.

In this context, Census 2027 is vital, as it is not just a count but a tool for evidence-based policymaking that guides equitable healthcare and development.

Once-in-a-decade health mapping opportunity

The Census must be viewed as a health-mapping opportunity. It can reassess healthcare access, disease burden, ageing trends, and infrastructure gaps. India’s major public health gains have often relied on Census-based data.

In 1994, India had 60% of global polio cases. The National Immunisation Programme reduced cases by 94% between 2009 and 2010, leading to the WHO declaring India “polio-free” in 2014. Similarly,

the National Leprosy Eradication Programme used census-linked prevalence maps to target districts, reducing prevalence from 0.69 (2014-15) to 0.57 (2024-25).

The TB control programme used demographic data to guide diagnostics and medicine distribution, achieving a 17.7% drop in incidence and a 21.4% fall in TB deaths between 2015 and 2023.