Life after Migration: Comparative Study on Successful Aging in India

Bittu Mandal, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY INDORE

Utilizing data from the first wave (2017-18) of the Longitudinal Aging Study in India, this paper investigates disparities in successful aging outcomes between migrant and non-migrant populations. The study analyses a cohort of 23,690 individuals aged 60 and above, focusing on the impact of migration status, regional variations, and early life socio-economic and health conditions on aging. Propensity Score matching and logistic regression are employed to investigate the relationship between migration and successful aging, with additional validation through robustness and consistency checks across different matching methods and age groups. Results reveal significant disparities, with migrants less likely to achieve successful aging, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Considerable regional variations are observed, along with heterogeneous effects of childhood socio-economic conditions and health on aging outcomes, indicating that early life conditions play a critical role in later life. The decomposition analysis suggests potential discrimination or systemic disadvantage against migrants in successful aging outcomes. These findings provide detailed empirical insights into the complex interplay of migration, socio-economic status, regional differences, and early life factors, shedding light on the nuanced dynamics of aging in India.

Keywords: Population Ageing, Internal Migration and Urbanization, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Older Adults and Intergenerational Relations

See extended abstract.