Growing old, growing poor: the silent-struggle of elderly poverty

Poverty among the elderly remains a persistent yet often invisible crisis, deeply rooted in economic insecurity, health vulnerabilities, and social exclusion. As societies worldwide undergo rapid ageing, understanding and addressing elderly poverty is crucial for building inclusive and resilient communities. Economic insecurity significantly drives elderly poverty, often arising from inadequate pension systems, informal employment histories, and persistent labor market inequalities (McNamara, 2007; Biegel & Leibbrandt, 2010). In many developing countries, elderly individuals continue to engage in informal or low-wage work due to the absence of pension coverage or old-age insurance, using employment as a survival mechanism rather than a choice (Sukamdi et al., 2024). Beyond economic challenges, social and demographic factors play a significant role in contributing to elderly poverty. Older adults who live alone face an increased risk due to social isolation, loneliness, and higher healthcare costs, all of which can deplete their limited financial resources and reduce their quality of life (Kwan & Tam, 2022). Those in rural areas often experience higher poverty rates because of limited access to healthcare services, fewer job opportunities, and weaker social protection systems, leaving them without the necessary support to age with dignity (Mohd et al., 2018; Xia et al., 2024).