Elderly widowhood in China

Abstract

As population ageing accelerates in China, the number of elderly widowed individuals are expected to increase. Using 2010 census data we estimate widowhood indices for rural and urban areas, and for men and women in China. The indices show that the probability of elderly widowhood to be higher for females (0.68) than males (0.32)-with no rural and urban difference. An average marriage in China lasts about 47 years. After the death of a spouse, the average duration of widowhood is about 11 years for males and about 15 years for females. Spousal age difference has a significant impact on widowhood indices. Rural populations have the shortest marriage duration and the youngest widowhood age, and longer widowhood duration.

Can China afford rapid aging?

“…For men, the average age of widowhood is 72.6, and after becoming widowed, men may survive 11.2 years; for women, the average age of widowhood is 70.6, and after becoming widowed, women may survive 14.7 years. In rural areas, the average age of widowhood for men is 68.3, and after becoming widowed, rural men may survive 13.0 years; the average age of widowhood for women is 66.3, and after becoming widowed, rural women may survive 17.0 years (Jiang et al 2015 ).…”

Influencing Factors of Undermet Care Needs of the Chinese Disabled Oldest Old People When Their Children Are Both Caregivers and Older People: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…On the one hand, more children’s financial support and care expenditure means more care resources are put into the care by older children, and therefore, there are fewer undermet care needs. On the other hand, older children may be more concerned about whether they can obtain financial compensation or rewards from their oldest old parents, which will motivate their enthusiasm for providing care and improve the quality of care [ 21 , 63 , 66 ].…”

“…The care of the oldest old people in China is still provided by families, which is a traditional and strong inertial old-age care model [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. At the same time, the probability of widowhood is high among the oldest old population [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]; therefore, their children or children-in-law become their main body of family care [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. The reasons for this phenomenon are as follows: First, the economic status of the oldest old people is poor [ 26 ], and they cannot afford the care services provided by the market.…”

Considering regional policies towards ageing through a gendered lens

“…Li, Fan, and Leng 2018). For example, the greater likelihood of widowhood for women can be associated with loneliness and greater risks of depression and other psychological illnesses (Xu et al 2019;Jiang, Li, and Sánchez-Barricarte 2015;G. Wang et al 2011).…”