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Migration key to optimising gains of rising workforce
epaper.timesgroup.com | July 11, 2023With an estimated population of 1. 48 billion (approximately 18% of the world’s population of 8 billion), India is now the most-populous country on earth. According to the latest UN projections, our population is likely to grow for decades, reach its peak by 2064 and possibly decline then. India witnessed 2% annual population growth since 1950 though a nationwide family planning programme was launched in 1952.
But with education and improved access to birth control, India’s fertility fell in most states from 5. 7 births/woman post-Independence to two births/woman today. Infant and maternal death rates declined in the past five decades with improvements in healthcare.
But with education and improved access to birth control, India’s fertility fell in most states from 5. 7 births/woman post-Independence to two births/woman today. Infant and maternal death rates declined in the past five decades with improvements in healthcare.
As a result, the productive population rose than the non-working population (under-14 and over 65 years). The National Health Profile, 2018 estimated that over 64. 7% of the population was in the working age group (15-59 years) and their numbers will rise in future decades. This changing demographic profile is capable of fuelling India’s economic growth and enhancing its political power in the global arena while other major economies face problems of population decline, acute labour force deficit and arapidly ageing population.
But, many commentators cautioned that this growing population can slow down India’s socioeconomic progress. This can exert astrain on the economy and become an obstacle to meet the basic needs of the people, especially the marginalized. Struggle for housing, food and water, healthcare, sanitation, and education are real for many in India. The key problem is unemployment, aggravated by pandemic-induced layoffs and the subsequent changes in job market.
Thus, the demographic dividend of having the world’s largest youth population in their prime working years has become a challenge. For instance, urban unemployment is acute as there are no employment guarantee schemes like MGNREGA for rural areas. Yet, rural-to-urban migration in search of better livelihood burdens the already-frail ecosystems of India’s metros.
Jobs under various central schemes, such as Make in India, Startup India and Digital India are insufficient. Hence it is imperative to execute innovative and sustainable strategies to tackle low job growth, optimise India’s population growth and reap benefits.
Population growth in workingage bracket calls for additional job creation. Facilitating safe, orderly and legal international migration is a viable strategy. Considering the low birth-death rates and rapidlyageing population in industrialized nations, India can provide a much-needed workforce. Our particular strengths are English-speaking science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates, skilled workforce and semi-skilled workers apt for manufacturing and service sectors.
Also, Covid has considerably altered the global migration systems and mobility dynamics. Several traditional options such as the US, Britain, and the Gulf, are not preferred by Indians due to the antiimmigrant rhetoric and increased restrictions on entry and work. This call for diversifying migration corridors to new/less-explored destinations like Africa or southeast Asia. Centre must actively engage with foreign governments and sign pacts to allow Indian workers to migrate and work there. The agreement with Japan in 2021 is noteworthy in this respect. These efforts must be complemented with training programmes to make prospective migrants industry-ready.
So, World Population Day urges us to focus on our opportunities to boost the economy while devising effective strategies to mitigate inequality, unemployment, and such other systemic issues associated with India’s unique demographic trajectory. The data gap created due to the delay in 2021 Census amid the pandemic needs to be bridged. Any further delay can have serious consequences on India’s democratic governance.
This article has been authored by Prof. Divya Balan, Faculty of International Studies, FLAME University.
(Source:- https://epaper.timesgroup.com/article-share?article=11_07_2023_005_012_toikrko_TOI )