Transitions to old age: a multidimensional poverty approach for Chile

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Gerontology
• Economics

Background:

• Evaluating deprivation in aging populations requires a multidimensional approach.
• Research on poverty among older adults is limited in Latin America.

Purpose of the Study:

• To track the multidimensional poverty of Chilean adults transitioning into older age.
• To analyze changes in poverty and identify key deprivation dimensions and disparities.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of a Chilean cohort across three waves (2006, 2009, 2015).
• Construction of a multidimensional poverty index (MPI) using Alkire and Foster methodology.
• MPI assessed deprivation in education, labor/social security, health, and housing.

Main Results:

• Multidimensional poverty declined from 21% to 14% between 2006 and 2015.
• Chronic multidimensional poverty affected 9% of the cohort.
• Labor and social security saw the largest reduction in deprivation but also the highest persistence and gender disparities.
• Education was a strong protective factor against poverty.

Conclusions:

• Significant progress in reducing multidimensional poverty among older adults in Chile.
• Persistent deprivations in labor and social security, with notable gender gaps, require targeted interventions.
• Education is a critical factor in mitigating poverty for this demographic.