Gender Differences in Living Arrangements Among Older Persons in India

Abstract

The 52nd round of National Sample Survey data was used to explore gender differences in the living arrangements of older persons in India. Data demonstrate that older women, aged 60 and older are more likely to live alone than older men, after controlling for demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, health status, economic independence, and property ownership. Economic independence is a statistically significant determinant of living arrangements for both older men and women. Worse health in terms of physical immobility increases the likelihood of living alone or with spouse only for older men. Results indicate that having sons decreases the likelihood of living alone for older women, particularly if they are immobile. In contrast, immobility has no significant association with living arrangement choice for older men who have no children or only have daughters, and instead significantly increases the likelihood of living alone for older women with only daughters.