Understanding Poverty among the Elderly in India: Implications for Social Pension Policy

作者:Pal Sarmistha*; Palacios Robert
来源:Journal of Development Studies, 2011, 47(7): 1017-1037.
DOI:10.1080/00220388.2010.509783

摘要

Since 1995, cash transfers to the poor elderly or 'social pensions' have been one of the most important anti-poverty programmes in India. On the assumption that elderly poverty rates are higher than the general population, the minimum eligibility condition is set for 60+ in most states. Our analysis using 52nd and 60th round household-level National Sample Survey data, however, suggests that households with targeted elderly members 60+ do not necessarily have higher poverty rates than non-elderly households. Further analysis suggests that there is an expenditure-mortality link so that the poor tend to die younger and are therefore under-represented among those aged 60+ in most states.

  • 出版日期2011