SRS 2024 Data: 3.5% of Population Widowed, Divorced, or Separated; Women Significantly Higher

Data from the latest Sample Registration System Statistical Report brings into focus that in 2024, 3.5% people were either ‘widowed, divorced or separated’ and that more women figured in this category with the difference in percentage notably high between women and men at 5.4 % and 1.6 % respectively.

The data yet again draws attention to prevailing gender and social dynamics at play on the ground with regards to marriage and the unique challenges and vulnerabilities faced by a larger number of women in this category who are often also carrying the responsibility of single parents.

If one looks at data for just the past three years - 2021, 2023 and 2022, it reflects similar trends with a higher percentage among females than males. This indicates that many more women live without a spouse compared to men after the "separation, widowhood or divorce" and that remarriage for women is a big challenge.

The highest percentage of the population was reported as either ‘widowed, divorced or separated’ in Tamil Nadu (7.2%) and lowest in Bihar (1.5%) in 2024. Again reports of the past three years shows these two states reporting the highest and lowest population in this category.

In terms of states with the maximum women who are in this category, the 2024 report shows that Southern states have the highest percentage with Tamil Nadu accounting for 11.6% women who are either widowed, divorced or separated followed by Kerala (10.4%), Karnataka (8.6%), Andhra Pradesh (8%) and Telangana (7.6%).

When it comes to lowest, the trends are dispersed across regions with Bihar having the least women in this category (2%) followed by Jammu & Kashmir (2.4%), Haryana (2.8%), Uttar Pradesh (3.1%) and Delhi (3.2%)

In case of men, across states the trend is almost similar with a difference of just a few points in most cases. The top three states with men who fall in this category are Tamil Nadu (2.9%), Andhra Pradesh (2.1%) and Madhya Pradesh (2.2%). The three states and UTs with the lowest include Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi with (0.9%) each followed by Haryana (1%) and Rajasthan (1.2%).

Meanwhile, the data on elderly population in keeping with past trends and the fact as per the life expectancy patterns women live longer than men, highlights that in terms of percentage while 9.7% of the total population is aged 60 years and above, the percentage is higher for women (10.1%) compared to males 9.3%.

Also the percentage of elderly females is either the same or higher than elderly males in most States/UTs except for Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, and West Bengal. This is in keeping with past trends

This yet again brings into focus concerns being raised by civil society organisations working with elderly for inclusive policy and programmes to take into account the health requirements of elderly women.

The report shows that the percentage of elderly males is highest in Kerala (14.4%) followed by Tamil Nadu (13.6 %) and Himachal Pradesh (12.4%) and lowest in Delhi and Jharkhand at 7.6% each, followed by Bihar, and Chhattisgarh at 7.8%.

In case of females, the percentage of elderly population is highest in Kerala (15.8%) followed by Tamil Nadu (14.8 %) and Himachal Pradesh (13.6%) and it is lowest in Assam (7.2%) followed by Bihar, and Jharkhand at 7.8%.