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Old-age Support and Demographic Transition in Developing Countries. A Cultural Transmission Model

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  • Javier Olivera

    (UCD Geary Institute, University College Dublin)

Abstract

We model intergenerational old-age support within the context of a developing country that faces demographic transition: declining fertility and increasing life expectancy. We attempt to answer if agents will be able to support their parents during the next generations and under what conditions. For this purpose we use a three period overlapping generations model and a cultural transmission process, in which agents may be socialized to different cultural family models (old-age supporters and non-supporters). As life expectancy increases, we find conditions under which a reduced fertility rate is compatible with the expectation to be supported during old-age. This offers an additional explanation for the persistency of family old-age support in developing countries facing demographic transsition.

Suggested Citation

  • Javier Olivera, 2013. "Old-age Support and Demographic Transition in Developing Countries. A Cultural Transmission Model," Working Papers 201307, Geary Institute, University College Dublin.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucd:wpaper:201307
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Matthew J. Baker & Joyce P. Jacobsen, 2022. "Technology, Tradition, and Treatment of the Elderly," Economics Working Paper Archive at Hunter College 452, Hunter College Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cultural transmission; intergenerational transfers; fertility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity

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