Question

What is dependency ratio? Why is dependency ratio higher in India?

Answer 1

Dependency ratio is the ratio between the economically working population and dependent population. It is calculated by dividing the dependent population by the working population and multiplying it by 100.

Dependent population consists of children below the age of 15 years and aged above 59 years. The dependency ratio is higher in‘ India because of the following reasons :-

(i) Due to fast growing population, the number of new born are steadily rising. They have to be provided food, clothing, medical and health care by the parents. More children in the family icreases the dependent ratio.

(ii) Large number of famil ies lead hand to mouth existence in India. A large percentage of people live below the poverty ltn'e. They do not have any savm’gs, which they can utilxze' dunn'g their' old age. They depend on the children for their basic needs and become dependent population.

Answer 2

Dependency ratio is the measure of comparing the portion of a population which is composed of dependents with the portion of population that is working , generally in the age group of 15 - 64 years.

Explanation :

Formula to calculate Dependency ratio :

= population of below 15 + above 64 / population of 15 to 64 age group.

• It is expressed in percentage.
• It is also called demographic dividend by working population is higher than the non working population.
• Thus , in india ratio is not permanent concept, it keeps on changing i.e increasing or decreasing.
• It can be maintained by better education and awareness.
• It has advantage also . the current working population is large and it has relatively small aged population to support.
• A following dependency ratio can be a source of economic growth ans prosperity due to a larger population of workers relative to non workers.

India has a very young population. The share of 15 to 60 population has increase from 53% to 59% but the below 15 and 60+ population. But, the age composition will see a change in the next 2 decades .