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

Gwozdz, Wencke; Sousa-Poza, Alfonso

doi:10.2139/ssrn.1359989

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

IZA Discussion Paper No. 4053

40 Pages Posted: 17 Mar 2009

See all articles by Wencke Gwozdz

Wencke Gwozdz

Copenhagen Business School; University of Hohenheim

Alfonso Sousa-Poza

University of Hohenheim - Institute of Household and Consumer Economics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

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: oldest old, health, life satisfaction

JEL Classification: I18, I19, J28

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Gwozdz, Wencke and Sousa-Poza, Alfonso, Ageing, Health and Life Satisfaction of the Oldest Old: An Analysis for Germany. IZA Discussion Paper No. 4053, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1359989 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1359989