Examining active aging among Iranian provinces: a TOPSIS analysis

BACKGROUND: Planning and decision-making for the elderly requires a special attention due to the beginning of aging process in Iran. By emphasizing the concept of active aging, determining the status of the elderly like their ability to continue work over time, to attain income and to participate in social and political life is significant. Active aging uses the indicators measuring the non-used potential of the elderly for having an active and healthy aging. This study aimed to determine the level of active aging among the provinces of Iran in 2018 by considering 11 indicators related to elderly’s health, well-being and socioeconomic participation. METHODS: The raw data were obtained from Statistical Center of Iran. After establishing the indicators based on the Global Age Watch approach, the provinces were ranked by the TOPSIS method in terms of aging status. RESULTS: The results indicated that only Tehran and Alborz had the highest development level of active aging while 16% of the provinces had a semi-developed status and 77% failed at experiencing a satisfactory welfare, economic and social status. CONCLUSIONS: Four indicators had the highest importance included the percentage of the elderly with a diploma and academic degree, the percentage of the elderly with lower incomes than the median income, the median income of the elderly to the median income of the other people in society, and life expectancy among the 65-year old men. Studying the indicators deeply can result in the appropriate planning for each area in line with the improvement of the elderly status.