Sample Profile

Abstract

The data for the study have been collected from two sources. The first source is the large sample surveys on Employment and Unemployment undertaken by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) every 5 years. This is a nationally representative survey, containing information on education, age, household expenditure, socio-religious identity, economic status, and labour market participation. Data from the two rounds—55th round (2005–2006) and 68th round (2012–2013)—have been used in the study. Applying an age-based filter, respondents aged 60 years and above were selected. Data for this sub-sample were analysed to obtain a picture of the contribution of aged persons to their families at the national level.

The NSSO survey, however, is not exclusively directed towards aged persons. Therefore, many issues relating to ageing and their contributions to the family remains uncovered in the survey. We have, therefore, supplemented the NSSO data by undertaking a primary survey of aged persons in the capital cities of three states in Eastern India. These states are West Bengal (Kolkata), Orissa (Bhubaneswar), and Jharkhand (Ranchi). The first two states have a high proportion of aged persons (8.5 and 9.5, respectively). In comparison, Bihar and Jharkhand have a low proportion of aged persons (7.4 and 7.1, respectively). We have therefore selected one state (Jharkhand), undertaking the survey in its capital city, Ranchi. The choice was dictated by the high proportion of tribal population in the state. This chapter presents the profile of the sample drawn from two sources.