Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Gassmann, Franziska
Author-Email: franziska.gassmann@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: UNU-MERIT/MGSoG
Author-Name: Siegel, Melissa
Author-Email: melissa.siegel@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: UNU-MERIT/MGSoG
Author-Name: Vanore,  Michaella
Author-Email: Michaella.Vanore@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: UNU-MERIT/MGSoG
Author-Name: Waidler, Jennifer
Author-Email: j.waidlerheisecke@alumni.maastrichtuniversity.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: UNU-MERIT/MGSoG
Title: The impact of migration on elderly left behind in Moldova
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to empirically evaluate the well-being of
	 elderly left behind by migrant household members in Moldova. Using data
	 derived from a nationally-representative, large-scale household survey
	 conducted between September 2011 and February of 2012 among 3,255
	 households in all regions of Moldova (except Transnistria) with a total
	 sample of 1,743 households containing at least one elderly person aged
	 60 or over, we empirically look at different dimensions of elderly
	 well-being. Well-being of elderly in Moldova is broken down by 5
	 different dimensions of well-being: physical health and independence,
	 material well-being, housing well-being, social well-being, and
	 emotional health. Each indicator is examined individually and then
	 aggregated together as an index. Well-being is also broken down by age
	 group and migration status of the household (current migrant, return
	 migrant and no migration experience). Migration in and of itself does
	 not seem to have a negative impact on the well-being of the elderly in
	 any of the dimensions analyzed. The age of the elderly and the material
	 living standard experienced by the household are much stronger
	 predictors of well-being in a number of different dimensions. The
	 results suggest that migration does not play a significant role in
	 shaping elderly well-being outcomes, contrary to popular belief.  
Classification-JEL: I32, J14, J61
Keywords: migration, care-giver migration, elderly poverty, multi-dimensional
	 poverty, poverty, Moldova
Series: UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Creation-Date: 2012
Number: 2012-082
File-URL: https://unu-merit.nl/publications/wppdf/2012/wp2012-082.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 275 Kb
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2012082