Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/35481 
Year of Publication: 
2009
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 4053
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This analysis uses data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) and the Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to assess the effect of ageing and health on the life satisfaction of the oldest old (defined as 75 and older). We observe a U-shaped relationship between age and levels of life satisfaction for individuals aged between 16 and approximately 65. Thereafter, life satisfaction declines rapidly and the lowest absolute levels of life satisfaction are recorded for the oldest old. This decline is primarily attributable to low levels of perceived health. Once cohort effects are also controlled for, life satisfaction remains relatively constant across the lifespan.
Subjects: 
Life satisfaction
health
oldest old
JEL: 
I18
I19
J28
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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