Economic independence, family support and perceived health status of the elderly: Recent evidence from India

The sharp dip in fertility rates in recent years, combined with falling mortality rates over the last four decades, is leading to an increase in the absolute and relative size of the elderly population in developing countries (Rajan, Sarma and Mishra, 2003). It has been observed that the speed of population ageing is very fast in some countries of South and South-East Asia (Population Reference Bureau, 2006). As a result, issues related to ageing are becoming important in those countries (Liebig and Rajan, 2003).