Demographic characteristics are important indicators of population ageing and also help in having an understanding of the social and economic condition of the population. The study presents some of the aspects of demographic ageing at a micro level among the Tiwas, a marginalised scheduled tribe of Assam. The entire population of three villages, namely Manipur, Sidhabari and Buragaon were enumerated to understand the level of demographic ageing among them. Index of ageing, median age, sex ratio and dependency ratio were calculated. To find out the social characteristics and socio-economic condition of the elderly (60+ years) the data were collected with the help of a demographic survey schedule. Interview (using a structured interview schedule) and observation methods were also used. The total population of the three villages was 3,837 persons, of which 50.64 per cent were males (N=1943) and 49.36 per cent were females (1894). 7.10 per cent males (N=138) and 6.44 per cent of the females (N=122) of the study area belonged to the 60+ age group. The Tiwas (tribals) of the study area are still a young population as is indicated by their median age of 25 and an index of ageing at 23.83. They are educationally and-economically backward. The joint family is still the dominant type-of family and provides economic and social support for the elderly.
Demographic ageing, Tiwa Morigaon district, Education, Occupation, Income group, Marital status, Living arrangement
