Determinants and Differentials of Elderlys' Participation in Work Force at Coimbatore.

Aging is a natural, global phenomenon which is inevitable, irreversible, and involuntary phase of human life that declines productivity. This low productive ageing population increases due to the decreased mortality rate, increase in nutrition awareness, advancements in medical facilities, life expectancies etc. Globally, there were 771 million people aged 65 years or over in 2022, 3 times more than the size in 1980. The older population is projected to reach 994 million by 2030 and 1.6 billion by 2050. According to Census 2011, India has 104 million older people (60+years), constituting 8.6% of total population which has increased to 10.1% in 2021 and further likely to increase to 13.1% in 2031. Unfortunately, the trend of honoring, greeting and valuing elderly has been changed and the life contexts have forced elderly to opt for jobs. Therefore, in the recent past, elderly employment and inclusion of elderly in employment has become a common rising phenomenon in the modern society due to the breakdown of joint families, decline of altruistic family values, rise in dual earner families, loss of family& cultural values, force to avoid boring life, loneliness, context to lead a dignified life, etc. Hence, despite aging, the elderly people make an effort to participate in the workforce. The present study aimed to explore socio - demographic profile, reasons and differences for participating in workforce, difficulties faced during their jobs and their health at Coimbatore city. Through purposive sampling technique with inclusion criteria of working elderly, data was collected through interview schedule from 265 elderly respondents. The study findings reveal that women account for a majority of 52.83% than men which is 47.16%. The major reason for seeking employment is finance. The difficulties at work vary with white- and blue-collar workers. Auspiciously, for 85.28% of respondents their pay is enough to meet family needs and to avail themselves of health insurance. For 14.71% of the elderly people, their pay is insufficient. The calculated t value is greater than the critical t value connotes that there is a significant difference between the reasons of men and women elderly to opt for job at old age. The findings of this study infer that the elderly continue their jobs irrespective of their sickness and difficulties in order to lead a dignified life with economic security and they make attempts for self-sustenance which would reduce financial strain and economic dependence to the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]