| By: |
Lei, Xiaoyan;
Giles, John;
Hu, Yuqing;
Park, Albert;
Strauss, John;
Zhao, Yaohui |
| Abstract: |
Using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2008 pilot, this
paper analyzes the patterns and correlates of intergenerational transfers
between elderly parents and adult children in Zhejiang and Gansu Provinces.
The pilot is a unique data source from China that provides information on the
direction as well as amount of transfers between parents and each of their
children, and clearly distinguishes transfers between parents and children
from those among other relatives or friends. The paper shows that transfers
flow predominantly from children to elderly parents, with transfers from
children playing an important role in elderly support. Taking advantage of the
rich information available in this survey, the authors find strong evidence
that transfers are significantly affected by the financial capabilities of
individual children. Educated and married children have a higher tendency to
provide transfers to their parents; and oldest sons are less likely to provide
transfers than their younger brothers. With future continued rapid economic
growth in China, the income disadvantage of the elderly will persist and
upward generational transfers will likely remain the most common form of
private transfers. In the absence of some other source of elderly support
(such as a public pension or own savings), the dwindling number of children
implies that the financial burden associated with supporting the elderly is
likely to increase. |
| Keywords: |
Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Youth and Governance,Rural Poverty Reduction,Labor Policies,Population&Development |
| Date: |
2012–06–01 |
| URL: |
http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6076&r=cna |