What else should a future population policy address?

Apart from achieving the basic demographic goals, a future population policy must also address the skewed female and child sex ratio which is spreading from urban into rural areas.

Discriminatory social barriers like the absence of women’s ownership rights over land and

property are responsible for the continuing son preference.

Second important area that a future population policy must address relates to migration. The Census 2011 has given the picture of interstate and intrastate migration triggered by employment, business, education, marriage and other variables. Unplanned migration to the metros and large cities puts pressure on the infrastructure, housing and water availability and creates insider-outsider tension. If this is factored into the population policy, it would make for more foresight and greater coordination, and avoid the inevitable outcome of mushrooming slums and unplanned habitations.

Next comes the ageing factor. The growing population of the elderly and the increase in life expectancy accompanied by chronic diseases has the potential to deflect resources from the primary task of providing education and skill development. Dependency ratios are increasing rapidly while the joint family system has disintegrated. The market of caregivers is today unregulated, expensive and undependable. The business opportunity to match the growing needs of this population cohort after factoring in their growing disability needs to be a part of the population policy.

A population policy that protects our demographic assets while preparing for difficult challenges that lie ahead will protect future generations from catastrophic consequences.

11.1. Measures taken to control the population growth of India