The research was conducted using a large representative survey data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India that took place in 2017–18. Data was available for 31,464 people aged 60 years and above. Individuals were asked if they felt they had experienced discrimination, then were asked what they felt the reason for the discrimination was.

Researchers found that age was the biggest reason for experiencing discrimination. By comparison, just 1.9% have experienced caste discrimination and just 1.5% have experienced sex discrimination.

Factors linked to age discrimination in India

The study looked at what factors were linked to age discrimination, and how the experiences differed between different groups.

Oldest people experience more age discrimination

11.9% of over 80s said that they have experienced age discrimination, and the chances of experiencing it increased with age.

Discrimination in rural vs city environments

11.4% of those living in rural environments said they have experienced age discrimination. By comparison, just 7.9% of those living in a city or urban area. Rural resident older adults were 17% more likely to perceive age discrimination than those in urban areas.

Isolation and age discrimination

The group that said they experienced age discrimination the most was those living alone: 16.9% of those reported experiencing discrimination. Those living with a spouse and family experienced age discrimination the least: 9.1%.

Education and age discrimination

Those with 10+ years of schooling were least likely to have experienced age discrimination. Just 6.7% said that they had. By comparison, those with no education were most likely: 11.9% said that they had experienced age discrimination.

There was a direct inverse relationship between the number of years of education and the proportion who said they had experienced age discrimination.

Income links to age discrimination

Those with 10+ years of education were 32% less likely to have experienced age discrimination.

Perceived age discrimination was highest in the poorest quintile: 12.6%. The richer the person, the less likely they were to have experienced age discrimination.

Age discrimination and regions of India

There were some differences between the regions of India:

• Northern Region, 9.0% 

• North-Eastern Region, 6.8%      

• Eastern Region, 7.9%   

• Central Region, 16.3%  

• Southern Region, 9.2%

Attitudes towards ageing in India

The study suggests that attitudes towards ageing may be worsening in India.

The study notes that, although India and many other Asian countries have great respect for older people embedded into family and culture, recent studies suggest a transition. There is an increase in negative attitudes towards older people in households and community settings in India. Additionally, the increase in institutionalisation of older persons (traditionally caring for elderly parents or family members would be taken on by the younger generation), also indicates the decline in respect to the senior members of the society

The study also found that those who have several health conditions and lower levels of social participation are at risk of being socially excluded, lonely and abandoned, and encounter discriminatory conduct by the community. The study suggests that this may be due to the lack of information and awareness of discrimination amongst the general public.

In addition, older working adults experience their age affects their lives more than those who are unemployed, contrary to those working in developing countries.

As mentioned above, the study also views that the more educated and wealthier the older adult is, the less likely they consider they face prejudice towards their age. This could be because they are more mindful on social policy and are more resilient handling this type of circumstances than those who are less wealthy and have less shortage of knowledge.

Age discrimination in western world

The study highlights that the level of perceived age discrimination is lower (10.3%) than evidence from the western world.

It refers to the Health and Retirement Study in the US which found that 30% of people aged 50+ believed that they had experienced age discrimination. Another study found a similar result, with 33.3% of respondents aged 52+ having experienced age discrimination. The possible explanation given by the study is that the absence of uniform reporting and understanding of discrimination and lack of knowledge of age discrimination in India. The true scale may be much worse that that reported.

Age discrimination in India

There is no codified law for age discrimination in India. As a result, employers can dismiss or discriminate against employees because of age.

India – like many countries today – faces a demographic “timebomb”. Its population is ageing. We may see calls for enactment of age discrimination legislation in the coming years.