Abstract
The paper delineates the changing pattern of household healthcare and food expenditure in the context of changing household age composition in India over time using various rounds of National Sample Survey (43rd round, 1993 and 66th round, 2009-10). Descriptive statistics, log variance, and decomposition analysis are adopted to analyze the implications of the dynamics of age composition on the changing pattern of household food and healthcare expenditures. Results indicate considerable decline in household share of food and healthcare expenditure among children; however, the share for adults and elderly has increased substantially over time. Results from log variance analysis and decomposition analysis portray that the shift in the composition of adults and elderly in the population has considerable influence on the change in food and healthcare expenditure in India. The findings emphasize the need to integrate programmes addressing health care facilities and improving the social status of the elderly.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Economic and Demographic Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
"Elderly", " Composition", " Food and Health Expenditure"
