|
on Economics of Ageing |
| By: | Axana Dalle; Toon Wybo; Stijn Baert; Dieter Verhaest (-) |
| Abstract: | In many countries, age discrimination appears to be driven by negative perceptions that recruiters stereotypically hold about older candidates’ technological skills, trainability, and flexibility. Based on multiple theories, we hypothesise that training programmes might mitigate these ageist stereotypes and thereby improve these candidates’ recruitability. We test this pathway out of age discrimination by designing a vignette experiment in which professional recruiters assess the recruitability and human capital perceptions of fictitious candidates varying in age and (willingness for) participation in apprenticeship training at older ages. Our results demonstrate that candidates indicating their (willingness for) participation in such training to obtain relevant work experience are more likely to be recruited than candidates without such experience, regardless of their age. Moreover, recent participation also mitigates age discrimination, as the premium it yields is higher for candidates aged 55 and older. Nevertheless, no robust differences in perceptions are observed. |
| Keywords: | Hiring discrimination; Older workers; Labour market programmes; Apprenticeships; Signalling; Scenario experiment |
| JEL: | J14 J24 J71 |
| Date: | 2025–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rug:rugwps:25/1119 |
| By: | Sáenz, Mayra; Stampini, Marco; Aranco, Natalia |
| Abstract: | We study the effect of care dependence on hospitalizations among older persons in Mexico, analyzing data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) from 2001 to 2021. We use fixed-effects logistic regression to estimate the likelihood of hospitalization during the last year (yes/no) and high-dimensional fixed-effects models to assess its duration (number of nights at the hospital). Our analysis reveals that difficulties with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and/or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) increase both the risk and the duration of hospitalizations. Key findings include a significant increase in the likelihood of hospitalization, by: 47.9% for individuals with 1-2 ADL impairments (relative to persons without impairments); 75.4% for individuals with 3 or more ADL impairments; 40.6% for individuals with 1-2 IADL impairments; 49.8% for individuals with 3 or more IADL impairments. We also find evidence of a significant effect on the duration of the hospitalization (conditional on being hospitalized), that increase by 13.4% for persons with 1-2 ADL impairments, and 22.7% for individuals with 3 or more ADL impairments. These results underscore the necessity for targeted interventions that reduce both the frequency and duration of hospitalizations among older persons with care needs, for example through greater integration between healthcare and long-term care services. |
| Keywords: | long-term care;Older adults;prolonged hospitalizations;Care Needs;population aging;IDB Cares;public policy;Mexico |
| JEL: | I10 J14 H5 J18 |
| Date: | 2025–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:14230 |
| By: | TNP2K; The SMERU Research Institute |
| Keywords: | elderly livelihood, elderly welfare, special assistance for the elderly |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:agg:wpaper:4356 |
| By: | Sri Kusumastuti Rahayu; Axel Aquila Briliandiva; Agung Setiawan; Atin Prihatin; Dyah Larasati; Fajar Agung Wahono; Hafiz Arfyanto; Affandi Ismail; Lia Amelia; Nina Toyamah; Ruhmaniyati; Asep Suryahadi |
| Keywords: | social assistance, welfare, poverty, impact evaluation, elderly |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:agg:wpaper:4352 |
| By: | Lennert, József; Tóth, Csaba G. |
| Abstract: | A caveat of much of the existing demographic literature is that it decomposes population change into the components of fertility, mortality, and migration, treating ageing merely as a consequence of natural change while neglecting the role of age structure in the observed dynamics. This study applies a scenario-based decomposition approach, using counterfactual scenarios for each factor of population change (fertility, mortality, migration, and age structure) to assess their individual contributions. The 37 NUTS-2 units of the Visegrád Group countries (Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary) were selected as units of analysis. The research focused on the origins of regional differences and on the explanatory role of age structure. The results indicate that differences at the regional scale cannot be attributed solely to national-level variation, as cross-border groupings also emerge in the cluster analysis. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that initial age structure constitutes an independent and essential explanatory factor of population heterogeneity, both at the national and regional levels. |
| Date: | 2025–08–31 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:vrxud_v1 |
| By: | Corey J. A. Bradshaw; Shana M. McDermott |
| Abstract: | Concerns about declining or ageing populations often centre on the fear that fewer people will translate to a weaker economy and lower living standards. But these fears are frequently based on oversimplified or misapplied interpretations of economic models, and appear to be driven more by political agendas rather than evidence. In reality, long-term prosperity depends more on how societies invest in education, skills, and technology, not just how many people they have. We examine national data at the global scale to test whether slower population growth or ageing populations are linked to worse economic or social outcomes. Using nine different indices of socio-economic performance (domestic comprehensive wealth, income equality, research and development expenditure, patent applications, human capital, corruption perception index, freedom, planetary pressure-adjusted Human Development Index, healthy life expectancy at birth), we find no evidence that they are. In fact, we find that countries with low or negative population growth perform better on average for all indicators, and that even within-country time series show that most older and slower-growing populations fare better on average. These findings challenge common assumptions and highlight the need to move beyond fear-based and politically motivated narratives toward a more informed understanding of what truly supports thriving societies. |
| Date: | 2025–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2508.16872 |
| By: | Edward N. Wolff |
| Abstract: | There has been a seismic shift in age-wealth profiles in the U.S. over years 1983 to 2022. The most notable is the sharp rise in the relative household wealth of age group 75 and over. Correspondingly, the relative wealth holdings of all other age groups dropped over these years. Using the Survey of Consumer Finances, the paper focuses on the youngest age group, 35 and under, and the oldest age group, 75 and over, and analyzes the factors behind these relative shifts in wealth. I find that the three principal factors are the homeownership rate, total stocks directly and indirectly owned, and home mortgage debt. The homeownership rate is the same in the two years for the youngest group but falls relative to the overall rate, whereas it shoots up for the oldest group both in actual level and relative to the overall average. The value of stock holdings rises for both age groups but vastly more for the oldest households compared to the youngest ones and accounts for a substantial portion of the elderly’s relative wealth gains. Mortgage debt rises in dollar terms for both groups but considerably more in relative terms for the youngest group. |
| JEL: | D31 J1 |
| Date: | 2025–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:34131 |