Chandigarh: Punjab's population is ageing at a faster pace than the national average, as per the latest Sample Registration System Statistical Report for 2024. The state has a lower proportion of children and a higher share of elderly individuals compared to India as a whole.
Child Population Declines
Children in the 0-4 age group constitute only 6% of Punjab's population, significantly lower than the national average of 7.9%. This gap persists in both rural and urban areas. In rural Punjab, the share stands at 6.2%, against India's 8.6%, while urban Punjab reports 5.7%, compared with the national urban average of 6.6%.
The disparity widens in the 0-14 age group. Punjab's under-15 population is 19.2%, well below the all-India figure of 24%. Rural Punjab has 19.3% of its population below 15 years, versus the national rural average of 25.6%. In urban areas, Punjab's figure is 19%, compared with India's 20.9%.
Working-Age and Elderly Population
Conversely, Punjab has a larger working-age population (15-59 years) at 69.3%, exceeding the national average of 66.4%. In urban Punjab, this share rises to 70.3%, higher than the national urban figure of 69%.
The elderly population (aged 60 and above) in Punjab is 11.5%, surpassing the all-India average of 9.7%. The elderly share is higher among women: 12% of females in Punjab are aged 60+, compared with 11% of males. Nationally, the corresponding figures are 10.1% for females and 9.3% for males.
Rural Punjab exhibits a stronger ageing trend, with 12.2% elderly, against the national rural average of 9.4%. Urban Punjab's elderly population stands at 10.7%, slightly above the national urban average of 10.1%.
Fertility and Mortality Indicators
Punjab's total fertility rate (TFR) in 2024 is 1.4, below the national TFR of 1.9 and the replacement level of 2.1. This indicates fewer young children entering the population base, while the proportion of older people rises.
The state has also recorded a reduction in its maternal mortality ratio (MMR), which dropped to 77 per lakh live births in 2022-2024, compared with the national average of 87. In the previous SRS report (2021-2023), the MMR was 90 per lakh live births.
Punjab's infant mortality rate (IMR) is 16 per thousand live births, against the national average of 24; neonatal mortality rate (NMR) is 11, compared with India's 18; and under-5 mortality rate is 19, versus India's 28. The state has already achieved the SDG 2030 target for NMR, which is below 12, well ahead of the 2030 deadline.
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh attributed the drop in MMR to the government's comprehensive approach to reproductive and child healthcare. He stated that the state has strengthened institutional healthcare delivery systems and ensured quality maternal and neonatal care facilities across Punjab.
