Living arrangements of older persons around the world

Populations everywhere are growing older, and the number of persons aged 60 years or over is expected nearly to triple by 2050. Not only are more people surviving to reach old age, but those who attain old age are living longer than ever before. As a consequence, families comprising three or even four generations have become common, considerably expanding the alternatives for living arrangements of older persons. At the same time, long-term shifts in economies and societies are transforming many aspects of day-to-day family life, including traditions favouring lifelong co-residence of parents and children as a basic means of ensuring support for young and old.

The present publication provides the first global survey and analysis of the patterns and trends in the living arrangements of older persons. Comparable data are presented for more than 130 countries. The publication analyses the demographic, social and economic correlates of living arrangements of people aged 60 years or over as well, focusing on co-residence with family members, solitary living and the institutionalization of older persons.


;


The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division has issued a report “Living Arrangements of Older Persons Around the World,” which provides the first global survey and analysis of the patterns and trends in the living arrangements of older persons in over 130 nations. The report analyses the demographic, social and economic factors associated with the living arrangements of people aged 60 years or over as well, focusing on co-residence with family members, solitary living and the institutionalization of older persons. Among its findings, the report highlights that about one out of every seven older persons, approximately 90 million people, live alone, the majority of which are women; the reason that more older women than older men live alone is that older women are less likely to be married; Living with a child or grandchild is the most common type of living arrangement among older persons in most developing nations, while in Europe and the USA, the most common arrangement is the couple-only household, followed by individuals’ living alone; and in many of the countries with high rates of HIV infection, the proportion of older persons living with grandchildren, but not with children (skipped-generation households), has increased. The report concludes that “governmental policies need to include a combination of measures that promote self-reliance among older adults, provide services for those who are in need, and encourage continued involvement of family members in the care and well-being of the older generations.”


;

For more information please look at the report

Newsletter AgeEconomie

Laisser un commentaire