Comparison between generation 65+ in source of major income in Germany and Taiwan

Kai-Yu Chiu, Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB)

Demographic transition and ageing society force Taiwan to seek after measurements to cope with the unprecedented future. Taiwan could benefit from learning other countries in terms of policies while recognizing different characteristics in population and society in between. This presentation aims at comparing the source of major income of people who are 65 years and older according to gender and life forms in Germany and Taiwan. Data for Germany is based on the result of micro census – Population in Family / Life forms in major residence in 2014 by Federal Statistical Office of Germany, and data for Taiwan is from the “Report of the Senior Citizen Condition Survey 2013” by Ministry of Health and Welfare. Major findings are: 1. Over all, the major income source for elderly in Germany is largely and almost exclusively the pension. In Taiwan, the major income source is more diverse. Roughly “support by the family” and “government subsidy” accounts 60% of their major income source. 2. For both countries, gender and life form both influence the source of major income. In Germany, 25% of women living as a couple are mainly support by family while all other categories are mainly supported by pension (at least 90%). 3. Taiwanese men and women have different orders of major income sources: in order, men are supported by pension, family, government subsidy and investment or savings. Women are supported by family, government subsidy, investment or savings and pension. 4. By family support, in Germany it usually refers to spouse or partner, while in Taiwan it mainly means children / grandchildren. 5. Women in both countries tend to be more financially supported by their family. This might ascribe to their role in society as the major caretaker in the family and therefore give up their career.