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Gender Differences in Cognitive Abilities Among the Elderly Poor of Peru

Author

Listed:
  • Rafael Novella

    (Inter-American Development Bank)

  • Javier Olivera

    (Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER); Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Perú)

Abstract

We study gender differences on cognitive functioning among older adults living in poverty. The data come from the Survey of Health and Wellbeing of the Elderly (ESBAM) which is the baseline survey to evaluate the Peru’s social pension programPension 65. The results show that females are better off than males regarding episodic memory, but worse off in mental intactness. We do not find gender differences in the overall measure of cognition, but regional differences matter in favour of urban localities. The sizeable associations of education and quality of childhood nutrition with later-life cognition confirm the long-term impacts of early life developments on current outcomes, particularly in the case of females. Therefore, policies aimed at improving early childhood development are expected to have a positive impact in the quality of old-age.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafael Novella & Javier Olivera, 2019. "Gender Differences in Cognitive Abilities Among the Elderly Poor of Peru," Revista Economía, Fondo Editorial - Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, vol. 42(83), pages 95-109.
    • Handle: RePEc:pcp:pucrev:y:2019:i:83:p:95-109
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cognition; Old age; Gender differences; Poverty; Peru;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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