Příjmy, životní spokojenost a sociální identita českých seniorů v mezinárodním porovnání

Abstract

The aim of this empirical study concerned the incomes and life satisfaction of Czech seniors and their perception of their social position in comparison with the economically active population. The findings were considered in the form of a cross-national comparison with other V4 member states and selected Western European countries. The study begins with an overview of the various research streams on ageing and the situation of the elderly. The analytical section monitors household incomes across ages, the ability to make ends meet and life satisfaction based on EU-SILC survey data. While income declines with age, the ability to make ends meet appears to be balanced. Life satisfaction across ages varies by country - whereas it is declining in the V4 countries, it is stable in the Western European countries. The main life satisfaction factors are the same across all the countries considered: the ability to make ends meet, trust in others and particularly the perceived health. The subsequent analysis, based on ISSP data, considers the characteristics of the subjective status of pensioners compared to the economically active population. Compared to Western Europeans, Czech pensioners classify themselves as being in lower positions and in lower classes, are more critical of income differences and more often see society as being polarised. In this respect, the opinions of Czech pensioners are largely the same as those of pensioners in other V4 countries, but in comparison with these countries they are better able to make ends meet and have higher levels of life satisfaction.