Asia Ages Rapidly While India Squanders Its Youth Bonus

A new HSBC report paints a stark picture of Asia’s rapidly graying populations, with countries like Japan and South Korea already grappling with the economic fallout. But amidst this demographic doom and gloom, India stands out as a potential beacon of youth and vitality. Or does it?

While India is home to a growing working-age population, HSBC reveals critical weaknesses that threaten to undermine this supposed demographic dividend. Pension coverage is abysmal, healthcare spending lags far behind peer nations, and the country faces a daunting 2% of GDP increase in age-related expenditures by 2030 – all before its population has truly begun to age.

This isn’t just about India missing an opportunity. It’s a warning sign that the world’s most populous nation might be sleepwalking into its own demographic crisis, unprepared for the challenges that have already hit its Asian neighbors.

The question now is whether India can learn from the mistakes of faster-aging countries and build robust systems before its youth bulge turns into an elderly boom. If not, the consequences could ripple far beyond its borders, potentially destabilizing the entire region’s economic future. No sweat.