Arun Maira warns that as people live much longer, society is struggling with how to support them, and many older adults are increasingly viewed as a “burden” on the economy and social systems, a consequence of not having planned for their extended lifespans. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ6mFXjo6ow

Arun Maira highlights the growing gap between the rising need for elder care and the limited time younger, overworked people have to provide it, especially when many older adults live alone without family support. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ6mFXjo6ow

Arun Maira explains how longer life spans are straining pension systems; fewer working adults now have to financially support a rapidly growing elderly population that needs more care and resources. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ6mFXjo6ow

In this interview, Hindol Sengupta speaks to Arun Maira about some of the most urgent demographic and policy challenges shaping our future. The discussion covers the demographic pressures created by ageing populations, and the changing roles of women in the workforce. Arun Maira is a prominent Indian management consultant, thought leader, and author with an unusual combination of experience across the private, public, and social sectors. He spent 25 years with the Tata Group, serving on the board of Tata Motors, before working with Arthur D. Little Inc. and later as the Chairman of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in India for eight years. From 2009 to 2014, he served as a member of India's Planning Commission, focusing on strategies for industrialization and urbanization. The conversation also examines global demographic shifts, immigration debates, and the experiences of countries like Japan, Italy, Sweden, and South Korea. It concludes with an exploration of why the world may require a post-Westphalian approach to governance that promotes cooperation and inclusivity across borders. Rethinking Support for Ageing Societies- Arun Maira discussed the changing demographics and the increasing longevity of people worldwide, highlighting the challenges societies face in supporting older populations. He emphasized the need to reevaluate the value of older individuals beyond economic productivity, acknowledging their practical and wisdom-based contributions to families and communities. He also explored the financial burden of supporting older people through pensions and healthcare, questioning the sustainability of current systems and suggesting a need to rethink institutional purposes and structures to better support older populations. India's Aging Population Challenges - Arun discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by an aging population in India, focusing on the balance between productive work and the emerging care economy. He highlighted the need to adapt employment patterns to include older workers, who are living longer and healthier lives, while also addressing the lack of jobs for younger people due to technological advancements. Arun Maira also touched on the importance of developing a care system to support the elderly, as many families are geographically separated, and the need for a shift in economic growth patterns to create more employment opportunities. Professionalizing and Monetizing Caregiving - The discussion focused on the challenges and solutions related to caregiving work, particularly the need for professionalizing and monetizing caregiving services. Arun debated the voluntary nature of caregiving work and emphasized the importance of creating a new caregiving industry with paid professionals. He stated the potential for startups and enterprises in this sector, as well as the need for government support through mechanisms like universal basic income to ensure that caregivers are compensated. The conversation also touched on the historical and biological roles of women in caregiving, highlighting the need to value and compensate this work appropriately. Women's Workforce Roles and Impact - Arun and Hindol discussed the changing roles of women in the workforce, with Arun expressing concern that formalizing women's work in factories and offices might lead to social issues, such as neglect of family responsibilities and care for the elderly. Hindol viewed the increase in women's participation in the formal workforce as a positive development, particularly in sectors like mobile phone manufacturing. Arun highlighted the economic devaluation of caregiving work and the societal pressure on young men, who feel disrespected due to the income gap between themselves and their wives, potentially leading to frustration and crime. Global Governance and Aging Populations- Arun and Hindol discussed global demographic challenges, focusing on aging populations in countries like Japan and Italy, which are struggling with immigration due to restrictive policies. They explored the Westphalian principle of national sovereignty and its implications for global governance, particularly in addressing issues like climate change and caregiving economies. Arun emphasized the need for a post-Westphalian discourse that respects diverse beliefs and listens to the powerless, suggesting that inclusive growth and sustainable development require cooperation across boundaries and greater voice for less powerful nations. Chapters - 0:00-1:17 Opening 2:16-15:49 The economics of longevity no one is talking about 17:10-26:29 Why India must rethink retirement and the care system together 28:09- 32:15 Gender dynamics in caregiving 33:27-40:45 Global demographic challenges and Immigration 41:00-49:17 Three ways to tackle the demographic crisis 49:20-49:48 Closing #demographic #population #india #demographictrends #economics #india #interview #globalorder #interview

Sumita Dawra notes that India’s new labour codes make the country highly competitive, offering internationally compliant social security, flexible working hours, and wage rates that rival Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, strengthening India’s appeal to both foreign and domestic investors. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPI88ngg-ck

Sumita Dawra explains that the labour codes align India with global standards on labour welfare and social security, and the idea of a living wage fits naturally with India’s own multidimensional poverty framework used by NITI Aayog. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPI88ngg-ck

Sumita Dawra highlights that the new labour codes transform India’s labour ecosystem, making minimum wages a statutory right, ensuring timely payments, introducing a national floor wage, and creating a skilling fund to support workers through retraining. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPI88ngg-ck

Sumita Dawra explains that India’s labour reforms make the country globally competitive, offering flexible working hours, internationally aligned social security standards, and wage rates that rival Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, strengthening its appeal to foreign and domestic investors. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPI88ngg-ck