IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i24p16823-d1299793.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Well-Being-Related Living Conditions of Elderly People in the European Union—Selected Aspects

Author

Listed:
  • Beata Bieszk-Stolorz

    (Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Szczecin, 71-101 Szczecin, Poland)

  • Krzysztof Dmytrów

    (Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Szczecin, 71-101 Szczecin, Poland)

Abstract

One of the main demographic problems is the ageing of populations, especially in European countries. However, this process is not taking place equally in all countries and has a different impact on their socio-economic development. The aim of this research is to assess and compare the well-being-related living conditions of elderly people in European Union countries. We carried out the analysis for the years 2015 and 2020 on the basis of Eurostat data. We assessed the well-being-related living conditions of older people by applying the multidimensional scaling technique. On its basis, we constructed rankings of the EU countries in the two analysed years. In addition, by using the k -means method, we clustered the countries. The disparity between the well-being-related living conditions of elderly people in Western European countries and the post-communist ones has not declined. Six of the nine analysed indicators improved over the five years between 2015 and 2020, while three (the proportion of elderly people at risk of poverty, the disparity between the incomes of the richest and poorest groups of elderly people, and the proportion of elderly people in the total population) worsened. Socio-economic policies should therefore address these indicators to the greatest extent possible.

Suggested Citation

  • Beata Bieszk-Stolorz & Krzysztof Dmytrów, 2023. "The Well-Being-Related Living Conditions of Elderly People in the European Union—Selected Aspects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:24:p:16823-:d:1299793
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/24/16823/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/24/16823/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Franz Stephan Neuberger & Klaus Preisner, 2018. "Parenthood and Quality of Life in Old Age: The Role of Individual Resources, the Welfare State and the Economy," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 138(1), pages 353-372, July.
    2. Guglielmo Bonaccorsi & Federico Manzi & Marco Del Riccio & Nicoletta Setola & Eletta Naldi & Chiara Milani & Duccio Giorgetti & Claudia Dellisanti & Chiara Lorini, 2020. "Impact of the Built Environment and the Neighborhood in Promoting the Physical Activity and the Healthy Aging in Older People: An Umbrella Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-27, August.
    3. James Horley & J. Lavery, 1995. "Subjective well-being and age," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 275-282, February.
    4. Tiia Kekäläinen & Terhi-Anna Wilska & Katja Kokko, 2017. "Leisure Consumption and well-Being among Older Adults: Does Age or Life Situation Matter?," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 12(3), pages 671-691, September.
    5. Jan Delhey & Stephanie Hess & Klaus Boehnke & Franziska Deutsch & Jan Eichhorn & Ulrich Kühnen & Christian Welzel, 2023. "Life Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Human, Economic, Social, and Psychological Capital," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(7), pages 2201-2222, October.
    6. Manuela Ortega-Gil & Antonio Mata García & Chaima ElHichou-Ahmed, 2021. "The Effect of Ageing, Gender and Environmental Problems in Subjective Well-Being," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-14, November.
    7. Sunwoo Lee & James M Raymo, 2021. "Social Exclusion and Subjective Well-being Among Older Adults in Europe: Findings From the European Social Survey," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(2), pages 425-434.
    8. Noelia Somarriba Arechavala & Pilar Zarzosa Espina, 2019. "Quality of Life in the European Union: An Econometric Analysis from a Gender Perspective," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 142(1), pages 179-200, February.
    9. Marco Socci & Andrea Principi & Mirko Di Rosa & Sabrina Quattrini & Davide Lucantoni, 2023. "Motivations, Relationships, Health and Quality of Life of Older Volunteers in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-19, July.
    10. Jia-Jia Zhou & Rui Kang & Xue Bai, 2022. "A Meta-Analysis on the Influence of Age-Friendly Environments on Older Adults’ Physical and Mental Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-16, October.
    11. Noelia Somarriba Arechavala & Pilar Zarzosa Espina & Bernardo Pena Trapero, 2015. "The Economic Crisis and its Effects on the Quality of Life in the European Union," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 120(2), pages 323-343, January.
    12. David Steinmayr & Doris Weichselbaumer & Rudolf Winter-Ebmer, 2020. "Gender Differences in Active Ageing: Findings from a New Individual-Level Index for European Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 151(2), pages 691-721, September.
    13. Klaudia Przybysz & Agnieszka Stanimir, 2023. "Measuring Activity—The Picture of Seniors in Poland and Other European Union Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-17, June.
    14. Agnieszka Malkowska & Maria Urbaniec & Malgorzata Kosala, 2021. "The impact of digital transformation on European countries: insights from a comparative analysis," Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 16(2), pages 325-355, June.
    15. Qi Sun & Gary Curnutt, 2023. "Sustaining Retirement during Lockdown: Annuitized Income and Older American’s Financial Well-Being before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-13, October.
    16. Lindsey Baker & Lawrence Cahalin & Kerstin Gerst & Jeffrey Burr, 2005. "Productive Activities And Subjective Well-Being Among Older Adults: The Influence Of Number Of Activities And Time Commitment," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 73(3), pages 431-458, September.
    17. Leonie C. Steckermeier, 2021. "The Value of Autonomy for the Good Life. An Empirical Investigation of Autonomy and Life Satisfaction in Europe," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 154(2), pages 693-723, April.
    18. Aurea Grané & Irene Albarrán & Qi Guo, 2021. "Visualizing Health and Well-Being Inequalities Among Older Europeans," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 155(2), pages 479-503, June.
    19. Stanimir Agnieszka, 2020. "The Perception of the Generational Assessment of Selected Social Behaviour – A Confirmatory Factor Analysis," Folia Oeconomica Stetinensia, Sciendo, vol. 20(2), pages 346-360, December.
    20. Roman Vavrek & Eva Kovarova, 2021. "Assessment of the social exclusion at the regional level using multi-criteria approach: evidence from the Czech Republic," Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 16(1), pages 75-102, March.
    21. Ioana Ramia & Malina Voicu, 2022. "Life Satisfaction and Happiness Among Older Europeans: The Role of Active Ageing," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 160(2), pages 667-687, April.
    22. Sacit Hadi Akdede & Eleftherios Giovanis, 2022. "The Impact of Migration Flows on Well-Being of Elderly Natives and Migrants: Evidence from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 160(2), pages 935-967, April.
    23. Jungsuk Kim & Cynthia Castillejos Petalcorin & Donghyun Park & Shu Tian, 2023. "Determinants of the Elderly Share of Population: A Cross-Country Empirical Analysis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 165(3), pages 941-957, February.
    24. Nicky Rogge & Ilse Nijverseel, 2019. "Quality of Life in the European Union: A Multidimensional Analysis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 141(2), pages 765-789, January.
    25. Maria Vozikaki & Manolis Linardakis & Katerina Micheli & Anastas Philalithis, 2017. "Activity Participation and Well-Being Among European Adults Aged 65 years and Older," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 131(2), pages 769-795, March.
    26. Seppo Laaksonen, 2018. "A Research Note: Happiness by Age is More Complex than U-Shaped," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 471-482, February.
    27. Tomasz Panek & Jan Zwierzchowski, 2022. "Examining the Degree of Social Exclusion Risk of the Population Aged 50 + in the EU Countries Under the Capability Approach," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 163(3), pages 973-1002, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Anita Abramowska-Kmon, 2022. "What Makes People Aged 50+ in Poland Happy? The Role of Lifestyle: Evidence from Panel Data," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(6), pages 3221-3252, December.
    2. C. Wickramasinghe & Nobaya Ahmad & Sharifah Rashid & Zahid Emby, 2011. "Impact of Subjective Well-Being on Success of Technological Knowledge Creation among Independent Inventors in Developing Countries: A First Look at Sri Lanka," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 2(3), pages 432-452, September.
    3. Jan-Philip Steinmann & Hannes Kröger & Jörg Hartmann & Theresa M. Entringer, 2024. "Did Religious Well-Being Benefits Converge or Diverge During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(7), pages 1-35, October.
    4. Carly Roman & Christopher R. Beam & Elizabeth Zelinski, 2022. "Psychosocial Outcomes of Age Integration Status: Do Age-Integrated Social Networks Benefit Older Adults?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-15, September.
    5. Qi Guo & Aurea Grané & Irene Albarrán, 2023. "A Global Indicator to Track Well-Being in the Silver and Golden Age," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 169(3), pages 1057-1086, October.
    6. František Petrovič & Patrik Maturkanič, 2022. "Urban-Rural Dichotomy of Quality of Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-18, July.
    7. Thomas Akintayo & Niina Häkälä & Katja Ropponen & Elsa Paronen & Sari Rissanen, 2016. "Predictive Factors for Voluntary and/or Paid Work among Adults in their Sixties," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 128(3), pages 1387-1404, September.
    8. Klaudia Przybysz & Agnieszka Stanimir, 2023. "Measuring Activity—The Picture of Seniors in Poland and Other European Union Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-17, June.
    9. John F. Helliwell & Haifang Huang & Max B. Norton & Shun Wang, 2019. "Happiness at Different Ages: The Social Context Matters," Springer Books, in: Mariano Rojas (ed.), The Economics of Happiness, chapter 0, pages 455-481, Springer.
    10. Omer Sagie, 2016. "Well-Being in Older Gays and Lesbians: A Comparison of Predictors," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 126(1), pages 395-409, March.
    11. Hu, Shu & Das, Dhiman, 2019. "Quality of life among older adults in China and India: Does productive engagement help?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 144-153.
    12. I. Khumalo & Q. Temane & M. Wissing, 2012. "Socio-Demographic Variables, General Psychological Well-Being and the Mental Health Continuum in an African Context," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 105(3), pages 419-442, February.
    13. Angelique Chan & Mary Ofstedal & Albert Hermalin, 2002. "Changes in Subjective and Objective Measures of Economic Well-Being and Their Interrelationship among the Elderly in Singapore and Taiwan," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 263-300, March.
    14. Francisco Olmo-García & Fernando Javier Crecente-Romero & María Teresa Val-Núñez & María Sarabia-Alegría, 2023. "Entrepreneurial activity in an environment of digital transformation: an analysis of relevant factors in the euro area," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    15. David G. Blanchflower, 2020. "Is Happiness U-shaped Everywhere? Age and Subjective Well-being in 132 Countries," NBER Working Papers 26641, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    16. Beata Bieszk-Stolorz & Krzysztof Dmytrów, 2022. "Assessment of the Similarity of the Situation in the EU Labour Markets and Their Changes in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-20, March.
    17. Salinas Fernández, José Antonio & Guaita Martínez, José Manuel & Martín Martín, José María, 2022. "An analysis of the competitiveness of the tourism industry in a context of economic recovery following the COVID19 pandemic," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    18. Dwight C. K. Tse & Jeanne Nakamura & Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, 2022. "Flow Experiences Across Adulthood: Preliminary Findings on the Continuity Hypothesis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2517-2540, August.
    19. Paraschiv Dorel Mihai & ȚIțan Emilia & Manea Daniela Ioana & Ionescu Crina Dana & Mihai Mihaela & Șerban Octavian, 2022. "The change in e-commerce in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 17(2), pages 220-233, June.
    20. Jing Zhang & Bingbing Huang & Xinming Chen & Congmou Zhu & Muye Gan, 2022. "Multidimensional Evaluation of the Quality of Rural Life Using Big Data from the Perspective of Common Prosperity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-21, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:24:p:16823-:d:1299793. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.