Factors Affecting Living Arrangement Transitions among Korea's Older Persons

Living arrangement of older persons has become a central issue of population ageing due to its normative and practical importance for the well being of older persons. This study, utilizing ' Survey of Living Profile and Welfare Service Needs of Older Persons in Korea in 2008 and 2012, attempts to provide an empirical analysis on persistence and change of living arrangements over the life course of older persons. The study begins with cross sectional approach on living arrangement patterns in 2008 and 2012. Multinominal analysis reveals that marital status, education level, and attitudes on filial responsibilities are the main determinants of living arrangements. And analyzes the change of living arrangements over the life course following those aged 60 and over in the next 3 years are conducted. Descriptive analysis reveals that while many elder parents sustain their current living arrngements for the given period, some older persons expeirence changes. Logit regression analysis reveals that changes of living arrangements, particularly from coresidence with married children to separate resident, are closely related to not only the loss of spouse and biological ageing but also attitude on filial responsibilities and the main motive of coresidence. Based empirical results, policy implications are suggested.