Examining rural-urban differences in life satisfaction and its association with health among elderly people in India: Evidence from LASI survey

Background: Health-related issues are common phenomena in the human body with increasing age. This study explores the disparities in life satisfaction among the elderly population in rural and urban areas of India and its association with health. Methods: Data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave-1 conducted in 2017-18 were used, with a sample size of 30,268 individuals aged 60 and above. The study employed multivariable regression models to assess the relationship between life satisfaction and physical, mental, and functional health, adjusting for socio-demographic variables. Mann-Whitney Wilcoxon test was performed to check the rural-urban differences in life satisfaction among elderly people. Results: Older adults in urban areas reported higher life satisfaction (Mean = 0.67, SD = 0.24) than their rural counterparts (Mean = 0.61, SD = 0.24). Mental health was found to be a significant predictor of life satisfaction among the elderly in both rural (beta 0.443, CI = 0.419, 0.468,p < 0.001), and urban areas (beta = 0.459, CI = 0.428, 0.489, p < 0.001) and functional health was not significantly associated with life satisfaction in rural areas (beta = 0.002, CI = -0.013, 0.017, p < 0.001), but shows a significant associated with urban areas (beta = 0.057, CI = 0.035, 0.078, p < 0.001), highlighting the importance of accessible healthcare services. Conclusions: The study highlights the need for development initiatives to enhance the well-being of senior citizens living in rural areas. Enhancing healthcare infrastructure, accessing medical facilities, and addressing functional limitations are essential steps to reduce disparities in life satisfaction.