Determinants of the Quality of Life Among Elderly: Comparison Between China and India

Abstract

The article attempts to understand the role of various determinants of quality of life (QoL) in two different demographic and cultural contexts—India and China. Along with appropriate model identification, the study discusses the role of influential factors of the QoL of elderly individuals of the demographic giants. Findings confirm the multifactorial nature of QoL and suggest that all of the determinants do not identically influence QoL at different levels. It has been found that socio-economic factors have a stronger influence on QoL, in both the countries, than the physiological indicators. Perception regarding QoL of elderly people, in two cultural contexts, does not deviate substantially, except for gender, lower level of education, observed health measures and formal social cohesion. The analysis suggests important policy implications.