Gender Differences in the Duration of Living Arrangements in Later Life Course among Older Chinese Adults

Congcong Deng
Elisenda Rentería, Centre for Demographic Studies
Pilar Zueras, Centre d'Estudis Demogràfics

In China, adult children have traditionally supported their parents through co-residence, but rapid demographic, social, and economic transformations have reshaped this traditional pattern. Using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2008–2018) and multistate life table methods, this study estimates the living arrangement-specific life expectancy at age 65 and examines gender differences. Results show that those living alone at baseline tend to experience more transitions to other living arrangements before death compared with those starting in co-residence. When the initial state is “spouse only”, men are expected to spend 2.73 years living with adult children, 9.76 years with a spouse, 2.19 years with others, and 1.15 years living alone. In contrast, women whose initial state is “spouse only” are expected to spend on average 3.93 years living with adult children, 6.98 years with a spouse, 3.62 years with others, and 1.65 years living alone. On average, for men the total life expectancy at age 65 is 14.71 years, comprising 1.48 years living alone, 2.79 years living with others, 4.44 years with adult children, and 6.00 years with their spouse. For women, the total life expectancy at aged 65 is 15.70 years, comprising 1.92 years living alone, 4.14 years living with others, 4.18 years with a spouse, and 5.45 years with their adult children. These patterns suggest that, while co-residence remains common, the later-life experiences of men and women differ substantially, and women are more likely to experience diverse and solitary living arrangements as they age.

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 Presented in Session P1. Families, Fertility, and the Life Course 1