Living conditions in later life

This chapter analyses living conditions later in life. The first section focuses on regional differences and shows that there are both large regional differences within countries in the share of the older population and in access to health and transport services for the elderly. The second section deals with living conditions and well-being among the over-80s. Current generations are better off than previous generations in several dimensions of well-being. At the same time a larger share of the over-80s live alone or with a frail partner, which heightens the risks of poverty and depression. Finally, the third section focuses on long-term care (LTC). As people age, the likelihood of being in need of LTC increases. Inequalities which have accumulated over the life course are magnified in countries where the costs of LTC borne by poorer individuals are not well covered by social protection systems. This implies that in some countries people who have LTC needs might have those needs unmet or in addition fall into poverty.