Work Status and Life Satisfaction in Later Life: Exploring the Silver Workforce in India

Sandip Das, International Institute For Population Sciences
Dhananjay W. Bansod, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

India's ageing population has been expanding rapidly over the past decades. As per the projections of the United Nations, by 2050, there will be more than twice as many older persons as children under five. This raises significant concerns about meeting the health and long-term care needs of older adults. The productive ageing framework emphasizes the vital role that older individuals can play in society to enhance their physical and psychological well-being. Employment is a key component of productive ageing, contributing to personal control, self-identity, economic stability, and social connectedness. However, in India, the absence of a robust retirement policy and the predominance of informal sector work creates challenges for older workers. Utilizing data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study India (LASI) wave1, this study explores the relationship between work status and life satisfaction among older adults in India. Ordered logistic regression analysis reveals that work status is positively associated with higher life satisfaction. Additionally, urban residents report greater satisfaction compared to their rural counterparts. Life satisfaction is higher in females compared to males. The findings highlight the need for policy reforms to enhance life satisfaction through employment opportunities for older Indian older adults.

Keywords: Population Ageing, Older Adults and Intergenerational Relations, Population and Development, Human Capital, Education, and Work

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