The participation of elderly women in household economic development (A case study of Bac Ninh province)

Abstract

As Vietnam enters a period of rapid population aging, elderly women represent not only a group requiring special attention in terms of health and social welfare, but also a force with the potention to contribute to household economic development. Through an analysis of current policies and data from a quantitative survey conducted in Bac Ninh province, the article elucidates the roles, labor participation levels, incomes, and spending patterns of elderly women. The research findings indicate that, despite barriers  such as declining health, family caregiving burdens, and low economic autonomy, many elderly women still chose to continue working in order to maintain physical and mental health and contribute to supporting their families. The article underscores the multifaceted roles of elderly women in organising multigenerational family life, thereby proposing policy orientations to promote their potential, experience and resilience in household economic development, towards the goal of active and sustainable aging.