Exploratory Study on the Impact of Demographic Shift on Generation-X Employees in Mid to Late career stage

With more than 65% of its population below 35, India has considerable unemployment issues to deal with its younger generation. The country also has more than 100 million people aged over 60 and is rapidly growing in some states more than others, which started to resemble the population profile of some of the European countries. Corporate India for managerial jobs has not typically adapted hire/fire policies akin to some Western counterparts like the US. However, there is significant noise in the system about employment difficulties for mid-career professionals, but no formal efforts underway to address this. Without social security, health benefits, or pension plans, employees in Corporate India are vulnerable in case of job losses. Some of them are making an effort on an individual basis to keep themselves relevant and employable in changing times. This research focuses on understanding why/how individuals working in corporate India adapt to this demographic shift, what conscious changes were made by the individuals through conscious effort or otherwise – leading them to have a choice versus those with lesser or no choice. The research will help identify the potential implications and recommendations for employers and also some suggestions for policymakers.