Age Identity and Elderly JobParticipation in China

Yu Xiao1*, Wang Qihui2

1 Northeast Asian Research Center, Jilin University, Changchun, China

2 College of Northeast Asian Studies, Jilin University

Abstract: In the context of rising life expectancy, there is a significant discrepancybetween Chinese seniors’ self-perceptions of the start of old age and the expectations ofsociety around this age. The traditional paradigm, which forecasts individual economicbehavior and formulates economic policies based on societal standards of age, is put to thetest by this disparity. This study, which draws from the China Longitudinal Aging SocietySurvey (CLASS), examines the factors, processes, and improvement strategies that affecthow older people choose to work. The following are our conclusions: (i) Chinese elderlybelieve their old age starts from 70 years on average; delaying perceived old age is a denialof aging and raises the likelihood of finding work. Elders who are youthful at heart have a2.4% higher chance of remaining employed than elders who are old at heart. (ii) In contrastto old-at-heart elders, young-at-heart elders are more likely to maintain their middle-agelifestyles, continue working, become motivated to engage in social activities, and gain theconfidence to face challenges and continue in their career. (iii) If the perceived old age isabove 70 years, the milestone event of aging is retirement from work, and there are externalpressures, particularly pressures from family intergenerational support, the perception ofold age will have a more proactive impact on older workers. (iv) Despite rising pensionbenefits, older people’s decision to remain in the workforce is still heavily influenced by theirperception of their age. However, this effect is notably gender-specific, as older women’sdecision to remain in the workforce is not greatly influenced by their own perception of theirage.

Keywords: Old age identity, age values, employment choice, social recognition, subjective

JEL Classification Codes: J14, J22, J26

DOI: 10.19602/j.chinaeconomist.2024.05.07