Impact of New Rural Pension Scheme on Elderly in China

Professor Introduction

L. Y | Master in Quantitative Economics

Home Institute：University of California, Los Angeles

Project Description

China is facing a severe population aging problem. According to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the population aged 60 and above is 254 million, accounting for 18.1% of the total population. It is predicted that by 2035, the elderly population in China will reach 400 million, with those aged 60 and above accounting for 32.8% of the total population. The health issues and pension system for the elderly, especially the very old, deserve the attention of the entire society. In this project, we will use the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) database to apply fixed effects models, Difference-in-Difference models, and panel data analysis to depict the coverage of China's new rural social pension insurance. We will quantitatively study whether different pension levels have a significant impact on the health of the elderly. This project is suitable for students interested in economics, sociology, and public policy research.

Project Keywords

Project Outline

Part 1: Introduction to Population Aging and Pension Systems in China
•  Overview of population aging in China and its implications
•  Introduction to China's pension systems, with a focus on the New Rural Pension Scheme
•  Importance of studying the impact of pensions on elderly health

Part 2: Theoretical Framework and Literature Review
•  Theories related to aging, health economics, and social insurance
•  Review of existing literature on pension systems and elderly health outcomes
•  Identification of research gaps and the significance of this study

Part 3:  Data Collection and Description
•  Introduction to the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) database
•  Description of key variables and data structure
•  Data cleaning and preparation for analysis

Part 4:  Methodology
•  Overview of econometric models used in the study (fixed effects model, Difference-in-Difference model, panel data analysis)
•  Explanation of model selection and assumptions
•  Step-by-step guide to implementing the models using statistical software (e.g., Stata, R)

Part 5:  Analysis of Pension Coverage and Health Outcomes
•  Quantitative analysis of the coverage of the New Rural Pension Scheme
•  Examination of the relationship between pension levels and health outcomes of the elderly
•  Use of fixed effects and Difference-in-Difference models to identify causal effects

Part 6:  Empirical Results and Interpretation
•  Presentation of empirical results from the econometric model
•  Interpretation of findings and their implications for policy and practice
•  Discussion of potential limitations and robustness checks

Part 7:  Policy Implications and Recommendations
•  Discussion of the policy implications of the findings
•  Recommendations for improving the pension system and elderly health care
•  Strategies for policymakers to address the challenges of an aging population

Part 8: Future Directions in Research on Elderly Health and Pension Systems
•  Identification of emerging trends and challenges in the field
•  Exploration of new data sources and innovative analytical methods
•  Suggestions for future research directions to further understand the impact of pension systems on elderly health

Part 9: Conclusion and Summary
•  Summarizing key findings from the research
•  Policy recommendations for supporting elderly health through pension systems
•  Suggestions for future research directions

Part 10: Reporting and Presentation
•  Writing a comprehensive research report with clear structure, concise language, and accurate data presentation
•  Preparing and delivering an engaging oral presentation of the research background, methods, results, and conclusions

Suitable for

High School Students:  
•  Interested in economics, sociology, and public policy
• Basic knowledge of statistics and social sciences

University Students:
• Majoring in economics, sociology, public policy, or related fields, seeking to deepen understanding and engage in research
• Familiar with basic statistical methods, econometrics, and data analysis techniques