HKU Annotated Bibliography: Problem of Elderly Poverty in Hong Kong

This annotated bibliography examines the issue of elderly poverty in Hong Kong, drawing on three key research articles. Chan and Chou (2018) explore the increasing poverty among the aging population, using both relative and absolute poverty measures to analyze income and consumption-based factors, and interviewing over four thousand older adults. Cheung and Chou (2019) investigate poverty's impact on life satisfaction, considering income, expenditure, assets, and material deprivation among over 1400 elderly individuals, revealing a strong link between expenditure-based poverty and diminished life satisfaction, alongside other factors like marital status and social support. Lau et al. (2015) highlight the worsening poverty levels, emphasizing social exclusion's role in shaping the lives of the elderly and the inability of many to participate in customary activities due to financial constraints. The bibliography underscores the multifaceted nature of elderly poverty, including its causes and its effects on the well-being of the elderly population in Hong Kong.

Running head: PROBLEM OF ELDERLY POVERTY IN HONG KONG
Annotated Bibliography
Name of the Student:
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Author Note

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Chan, L. S., & Chou, K. L. (2018). Poverty in old age: Evidence from Hong Kong. Ageing
& Society, 38(1), 37-55.
In this articles, the authors have examined the situation of growing population in Hong
Kong. The other dominant problem which the authors, through the article has intended to
highlight as an increasing issue is the problem of poverty which is being faced by people who are
aged and old. The government conducts evaluation with the help of measurements which are
income based. Whereas, this article has intended to make assessment of poverty especially
among the older population in Hong Kong. The study has been conducted on the basis of relative
as well as absolute principles of poverty to understand income and other measurements which
are consumption based. The study helps to draw relation of household characteristics and socio
economic conditions with respect to older poverty rates. During the process of study, the authors
interviewed 4306 older adults which helped to obtain results showing 66.2% rate. The study will
help in the larger field of research for betterment of the society and lives of older people in Hong
Kong. The approach with which the study has been discussed is Neo-Liberalist.
Cheung, K. C. K., & Chou, K. L. (2019). Poverty, deprivation and life satisfaction among
Hong Kong older persons. Ageing & Society, 39(4), 703-721.
The article discusses Poverty among older people in Hong Kong with respect to four
factors which include income, expenditure, assets and material deprivation. These four factors
have been taken into consideration to determine life satisfaction among older people in Hong
Kong. 1410 Chinese people who are aged over 65 were part of the investigation which intended
to perceive their life satisfaction. Other variables which were made assessment of, through this
study include financial strain, socio demographic variables, measures of poverty, community and
social resources. The study revealed that people who went through poverty which was based on

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expenditure, material deprivation and related to assets, were the people with low life satisfaction.
Among these, the strongest relationship was located to be in between the struggles faced by
people based on expenditures and directly affected their life satisfaction. Apart from these
factors, there are others which contribute to the conditions of old people in Hong Kong facing
poverty which include marital status, education, social support, gender, friends and family
members, health, collective efficacy of neighborhood and so on. These factors are significant for
perceiving the quality of life lived by elderly people. The improvement of the lives of elderly
people can be done by developing policies and measurement of poverty, with the help of this
study.
Lau, M., Pantazis, C., Gordon, D., Lai, L., & Sutton, E. (2015). Poverty in Hong Kong. The
China Review, 23-58.
The authors discuss, in the article about the growing condition of poverty in Hong Kong.
The levels of poverty are worsening which is alarming for the society and country as a whole.
The study aims to highlight the condition in which these elderly people live in. The alarming
situation has been shed light on, while the causes and factors which play important roles in such
living conditions, have been highlighted. The comprehensive study is based on social exclusion
as a force which shapes the lives of the old people living in Hong Kong and poverty stricken way
of loving. The study has revealed that the people who live in Hong Kong are of the belief that the
nominal standard of living does not only comprise of the basic needs and amenities of people but
also participation in activities which are considered to be customary. Poverty and Deprivation is
so intensely widespread in Hong Kong that many people do not have financial capability to
afford these activities which are customary. The article is essential to highlight the measure of

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deprivation, low income and poverty and how they are significant to understand the complex
reality of Hong Kong.

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References
Chan, L. S., & Chou, K. L. (2018). Poverty in old age: Evidence from Hong Kong. Ageing &
Society, 38(1), 37-55.
DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X16000817
Cheung, K. C. K., & Chou, K. L. (2019). Poverty, deprivation and life satisfaction among Hong
Kong older persons. Ageing & Society, 39(4), 703-721.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X17001143
Lau, M., Pantazis, C., Gordon, D., Lai, L., & Sutton, E. (2015). Poverty in Hong Kong. The
China Review, 23-58.