Life satisfaction of people aged 50+ in Poland - evidence from the panel data

Maja Rynko, Warsaw School of Economics
Anita Abramowska-Kmon, Warsaw School of Economics

We examine the determinants of life satisfaction of people aged 50 years and more in Poland. The data from seven waves of the Polish panel survey “Social Diagnosis” covering years 2000-2015 has been used. We model life satisfaction as a function of individual characteristics using the random-effects ordered probit. General results show that life satisfaction of people 50+ in Poland increases with age both for men and women, and females are more satisfied with life than males are. Married people and those living with partner only report higher life satisfaction than those without partner. Disability and health problems affect negatively the well-being of Poles aged 50+, while higher level of education and income have the opposite effect. Moreover, being employed influences positively life satisfaction of people aged 50+. Special attention in our analysis is given to the engagement in different social activities (sport, culture, social affairs) and religiosity which increase life satisfaction among people aged 50+ in Poland.