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Trends in Elderly Poverty in Hong Kong: A Decomposition Analysis

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  • Siu-Yau Lee

    (The Hong Kong Institute of Education)

  • Kee-Lee Chou

    (The Hong Kong Institute of Education)

Abstract

Despite significant improvements in education and a decline in the percentage of immigrants in elderly population, the poverty risk in old age and the actual number of impoverished elders in Hong Kong have both increased significantly over the past two decades. This study assesses the changing rates of elderly poverty in Hong Kong over the last 20 years and, by means of decomposition analysis, identifies the factors shaping their evolution. The analysis is based on the 5 % microdata samples from the 1991, 2001, and 2011 censuses covering Hong Kong residents aged 65 and above. The results show that the rate of poverty among older adults increased from 27.7 % in 1991 to 38.7 % in 2001, and then to 41.4 % in 2011. The increase was largely caused by a significant decline in the number of earners in the households with older adults, which offset the poverty-reducing effects of education and the percentage decrease of immigrants.

Suggested Citation

  • Siu-Yau Lee & Kee-Lee Chou, 2016. "Trends in Elderly Poverty in Hong Kong: A Decomposition Analysis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 129(2), pages 551-564, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:129:y:2016:i:2:d:10.1007_s11205-015-1120-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-015-1120-5
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    Cited by:

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    3. Alfred M. Wu & Kee-Lee Chou, 2021. "Intergenerational Conflict or Solidarity in Hong Kong? A Survey of Public Attitudes Toward Social Spending," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 158(2), pages 775-798, December.
    4. Crystal Kwan & Ho Chung Tam, 2022. "“What If I Die and No One Notices?” A Qualitative Study Exploring How Living Alone and in Poverty Impacts the Health and Well-Being of Older People in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-15, November.
    5. Lih-Shing Chan & Kee-Lee Chou, 2018. "A Survey of Asset Poverty Among Older Adults of Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 138(2), pages 605-622, July.
    6. Zhu, Alex Yue Feng & Chou, Kee Lee, 2022. "Depression among poor older adults: The role of social support," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    7. Paul S. F. Yip & Chenhong Peng & Ho Kit Wong & Bing Kwan So, 2020. "Social Welfare Transfers and Poverty Transitions in Hong Kong: Evidence from Two-Wave Panel Data," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 151(3), pages 841-864, October.
    8. Chenhong Peng & Lue Fang & Julia Shu-Huah Wang & Yik Wa Law & Yi Zhang & Paul S. F. Yip, 2019. "Determinants of Poverty and Their Variation Across the Poverty Spectrum: Evidence from Hong Kong, a High-Income Society with a High Poverty Level," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 144(1), pages 219-250, July.
    9. Kwong Koon-Shing & Chan Wai-Sum & Siu-Hang Li Johnny, 2020. "Actuarial Modeling and Analysis of the Hong Kong Life Annuity Scheme," Asia-Pacific Journal of Risk and Insurance, De Gruyter, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, January.

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