Elderly support and intergenerational transfer in Zimbabwe: an analysis by gender, marital status, and place of residence

Abstract

This paper describes elderly support and intergenerational transfer by gender, marital status, and place of residence for 150 elderly persons in Zimbabwe. The survey was conducted in September 1988, and includes information on background characteristics, income, and cash support from all sources, noncash support, and the support of elders to others. Conclusions and implications are discussed.

PIP: In September 1988, researchers collected data on 150 Shona speaking elderly persons (55 years old) from Zimbabwe to learn about elderly support and intergenerational transfer. Most worked in agriculture or the informal sector until they could no longer continue. Children provided cash support for 45% and noncash support for 61% of the elderly which represented a reduction in children's support. Zimbabwe did not have a comprehensive social security program in 1988, so only 3.4% of the sample received a pension. Only 23% provided any financial support to younger generations. The mean income/respondent stood at Z$ 623 which was only 33% of the national formal sector minimum wage. Moreover unmarried women received the lowest income (Z$ 216) (married men [Z$ 922], unmarried men [Z$ 925], and married women [Z$ 623]). 30% of men still worked and received a salary compared to only 1% of the women (mean age for those receiving a salary, 66.9 years). Children tended to generate more of the total income and cash of the female elderly (18%) than the male elderly (8%). Further they generated 26.1% of total cash for unmarried mothers. Yet the percentage received from children as opposed to generated was greater (43% and 48% respectively). Elderly who lived on communal farms received a higher percentage of total generated cash transfers from children (15.2%) than those who lived in cities (12.7%) or on commercial farms (4.5%). Yet children contributed finances to 52.5% of those who lived in cities whereas they did to 43.2% of communal farm residents and 38.5% of commercial farm residents. These findings indicated that Zimbabwe may view the elderly as a low priority in development efforts and even as impediments since there is no social security and few receive a pension. They also showed that modernization has made the elderly victims. Moreover with the AIDS epidemic, more and more of those who could support the elderly are going to die leaving the poor elderly to support their grandchildren.