How will it all turn out? No one knows except we have a couple of countries that have gone through the same demographic shifts. India can learn from them.

What can India learn from baby boom generation of United States of America?
The baby boom generation of the US (i.e. those born between year1946 and 1964), is about 75 million citizens. It was half the size of US population in 1960s. With its violent opposition to Vietnam War, hippie culture that redefined music, and its single minded focus on continuous improvement, this baby boom generation redefined American culture, politics and its often tumultuous race relationship. US saw huge technological innovations and economic progress as a result of the purchasing power of this generation.

Will India also gain similar demographic dividend ? Maybe… But one big difference is US, in 1960s was already a rich and powerful nation. India with its rudimentary infrastructure, vast rural population and massive poverty may have to pave a different path.

What can India learn from baby boom generation of China?
China has gone through multiple baby boom cycles in the past century, the biggest one was in late 1980s. This generation came out with a bang with its opposition to their communist regime displayed at Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Although the government was successful in crushing this opposition, it was forced to liberalize its economy to help provide livelihood for the young. What we saw was 9-10% economic growth since then. This growth enabled China to become one of the most powerful emerging countries.

Indian government although open and democratic, will be pressed to provide economic growth opportunities to this YRI generation. Else India will risk seeing some social turmoil.

What is India’s Future?
What will India’s future be? Will India be able to reap the benefit of this demographic dividend just like the US and China? Will India be a super power? Or will it disintegrate into oblivion unable to tackle its persistent social issues? It all depends on how this YRI generation shapes its own destiny and that of India.