LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, HOUSING AND SUBJECTIVE WELL - BEING OF THE ELDERLY

Abstract

Population ageing is an inevitable outcome of the demographic transition experienced by countries all across the world. The proportion of the world's population over the next 60 years is estimated to nearly double, from 12% to 22 % between 2015 and 2050 (WHO, 2015). Declining fertility and increasing longevity have led to an increasing proportion of elderly persons (60 years and above) concomitant with the demographic transition process traversed by most of the now-developed countries. India is home to around 104 million elderly persons comprising 8.6 percent of the total population (Census 2011) and their number is expected to increase to about 300 million, constituting 20% of the total population by 2050 (UN, 2013).

Considering the significance of the increasing number of the elderly in future, it is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of their particular needs and issues. This calls for various policies and programs directed towards the
ageing population to ensure better living standards and quality of life (QOL). The paper is based on a study conducted in Durgapur, West Bengal, and focuses on understanding the well-being of the elderly population in relation to their living arrangements in urban areas. The study has taken a proportionate sample from urban housing and urban slums and offers a holistic overview of how the living arrangements of the elderly, amongst other factors, affect their well-being.