Feminization of poverty among the elderly: based on national data in Türkiye

Year 2025, Volume: 23 Issue: 1, 44 - 53, 25.04.2025

Kübra Ecem Turgutkaya , Filiz Abacıgil , Pınar Okyay

Abstract

Objective: The number and proportion of people aged 65 and older in the world is increasing. The impoverishment of elderly women in Türkiye is becoming more visible, particularly due to gender inequalities.
This study aims to examine the effect of gender on sociodemographic characteristics and poverty among individuals aged 65 and over in Türkiye.
Method: This descriptive study, which is a secondary analysis of the 2018 Türkiye Demographic and Health Survey data, includes 4,263 Turkish citizens aged 65 and older.
Results: Elderly women have a higher median age (M=71; F=72), are less likely to be married/living together (M=85.0%; F=48.2%), and more likely to live alone (M=6.6%; F=17.0%) compared to men (p<0.05). They also have lower educational levels (no education/less than primary: M=29.6%; F=68.3%) and a higher proportion have no monthly income (M=8.7%; F=42.1%). However, there was no difference in welfare level between elderly women and men.
Conclusion: The low educational attainment, income insecurity, and living alone of elderly women in Türkiye, associated with gender inequalities, indicate that the impoverishment of women in old age is a significant problem that is likely to increase in the future. Ensuring nationwide gender equality and developing social policies and services to prevent the impoverishment of elderly women are crucial.

Keywords

Elderly, women, poverty, gender inequity

Ethical Statement

This is a cross-sectional study that involves the secondary analysis of the 2018 Türkiye Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) national data. The 2018 TDHS was reviewed and approved by the Hacettepe University Ethics Committee. Permission to use the TDHS data was obtained from HÜNEE. All methods in the study were carried out in accordance with the relevant directives and regulations.

Supporting Institution

This study has no support from any institution or organization.

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