Topic: population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
1. As this ‘pandemic generation’ joins the workforce in an economy that is failing to provide adequate employment opportunities to its current strength, India’s chances of levering upon its demographic dividend looks overemphasized. Comment. (250 words)
Reference: Economic Times.
Why the question:
The article brings to us insights upon the elusive demographic dividend of our country.
Key Demand of the question:
Examine in detail why India’s chances of levering upon its demographic dividend looks overemphasized.
Directive:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with current context of the question; the effects of pandemic on youth, employment factors etc.
Body:
Discuss the concept of demographic dividend briefly in the context of India.
Explain the relevant population theories mentioned in the article.
Discuss the issues – Even before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, unemployment levels in India had hit a 45-year high. As of 2017-18, only half of the people in the working age were actually working. In 2004-05, the same proportion was 63.7 per cent. Moreover, the troubled scenario of education and skills is evident from the Pratham surveys that are released each year. In 2018, it showed that just half of the children in the 5th standard could read a text from the 2nd standard.
Explain in what way the possibility of India falling into a ‘middle-income trap’ are higher than the chances of reaping a demographic dividend. Countries fall into a ‘middle-income trap’ because they easily escape abject poverty in early stages of development through simple mobilization of labour and capital.
Conclusion:
Suggest what needs to be one and conclude with way forward.
