The AAI is calculated once every two years in Kazakhstan, the research is carried out by specialists from the Bureau of National Statistics with the support of the United Nations Population Fund. According to data as of 2022, the AAI in Kazakhstan was 37.1%, in 2020 the figure was even worse - 36%. With an ideal of 100%, the potential of active longevity in Kazakhstan is underutilized by 62.9%.
When comparing data of 28 European countries (the EU and the UK) and Kazakhstan, it can be noted that Kazakhstan in 2020 was in 15th place, the middle of the AAI rating.
To understand which areas of life of pensioners in Kazakhstan are struggling, it is necessary to analyze the index by components. Low rates of 2022 were recorded on the general physical activity of the elderly (the potential was used by only 33.3%), their participation in political life (only 7.4%), employment (31.9%) and social relations (35.3 %). The disadvantages also include the cohabitation of the elderly with someone.
Among the aging factors, with which we are all right, the BNS experts include a good median income (100%), the level of education of the elderly (99.7%), the absence of the risk of poverty (99.9%) and material deprivation (83.3%). These statistical data give a sense of optimism in terms of the material well-being of pensioners, at least officially.
However, the assessment of prosperity by the elderly in the Republic of Kazakhstan is very different from optimistic figures and similar statistics.
According to the results of selective surveys by the Bureau of National Statistics, 69.3% of the elderly considered themselves to be in the middle class in terms of well-being in 2021. Another 0.2% believed that they had a low level of income, 13% - below average. The share of those who marked their level slightly above average was almost the same. 3.2% of seniors considered themselves to have a sufficient level of security, and only 1% related themselves to a high level.
According to the data as of 2021, one in four households with senior citizens over 60 cannot afford to eat hot meals with meat or fish every two days.
Every fifth family does not have money for unforeseen expenses, they have to get into debts or loans. 16.5% of households are not well off enough to buy new clothes or shoes when they are worn out. 7.4% of such families are not be able to organize the funeral of their family member without heavy debts.
Photos are from open sources.
