Ageing, Health and Life Satisfaction of the Oldest Old: An Analysis for Germany

Wencke Gwozdz () and Alfonso Sousa-Poza

No 4053, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This analysis uses data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) and the Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to assess the effect of ageing and health on the life satisfaction of the oldest old (defined as 75 and older). We observe a U-shaped relationship between age and levels of life satisfaction for individuals aged between 16 and approximately 65. Thereafter, life satisfaction declines rapidly and the lowest absolute levels of life satisfaction are recorded for the oldest old. This decline is primarily attributable to low levels of perceived health. Once cohort effects are also controlled for, life satisfaction remains relatively constant across the lifespan.

Keywords: health; life satisfaction; oldest old (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I18 I19 J28 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 40 pages
Date: 2009-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-age, nep-hap, nep-hea and nep-ias
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

Published - published in: Social Indicators Research, 2010, 97(3), 325-339

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Journal Article: Ageing, Health and Life Satisfaction of the Oldest Old: An Analysis for Germany (2010)
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