Labour force participation, time allocation and quality of life of the aged in Bangkok Metropolis

Abstract

The study investigates factors affecting the labour force participation and desire to work of elderly Bangkok residents. In addition the study analyzes the activities and time utilization of the working and nonworking elderly and investigates the respondents' quality of life.

Multi-stage sampling was used to select a sample of 492 elderly respondents aged 60 years and over and living in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. The sample can be considered to be representative of the elderly living in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. Using a standardized questionnaire the respondents were asked questions about their work history, attitudes, and their socio-economic and demographic characteristics.

Both bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques were employed in analyzing the factors affecting the labour force participation and quality of life of the respondents. For labour force participation after the age of 60 four variables emerged as important predictors : main occupation at ages 55-60 years, responsibility for household expenses, desire to work and age. These same four variables were also significant predictors of current labour force participation. In addition, chronic illness and activity satisfaction were also important predictors of current work status. Two variables were significantly related to desire to work. These variables, current working status and attitudes toward retirement, explained a substantial amount of the variance in desire to work.

The results of the analysis of time allocation indicate that the elderly are very active. Almost 80 per cent of the elderly participate in housework, with little observable difference between the activity patterns of the working and nonworking elderly. The most time consuming activity was watching television, followed by attending religious activities, reading, listening to the radio and walking.

The analysis of the quality of life of the elderly revealed that self-fulfillment, financial position at the time of retirement and current health status were significantly related to quality of life. Most of the respondents in the sample reported levels of quality of life that were in the moderate range.

The results of the analysis indicate a number of areas where government policy should be directed. Increasing the opportunities for employment of the elderly, extending the official retirement age, encouragement of the private sector in providing employment to the elderly, and providing loans to the elderly to set up businesses are all areas in which the government could act. To improve the quality of life of the elderly more attention needs to be placed on improving health care and on revising the pension scheme so that it provides support for those in need.