Mapping Rural Elderly Multidimensional Poverty in China: Intergenerational Support as a Protective Factor

Abstract As population aging accelerates, rural older adults in China are increasingly exposed to multidimensional poverty risks, including deprivation in income, health, and living conditions. The weakening of traditional family caregiving functions has further exacerbated this issue. Drawing on nationally representative data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study adopts an intergenerational support perspective and employs spatial analysis alongside dynamic monitoring techniques to examine the spatial distribution, temporal evolution, and influencing factors of multidimensional poverty among the rural elderly. The results reveal three key findings. First, from 2016 to 2022, overall multidimensional poverty among rural older adults declined significantly, with heterogeneous trends across dimensions: deprivations in economic conditions and living standards improved markedly, mental health deprivation decreased most substantially, while progress in physical health remained relatively limited. Second, multidimensional poverty exhibited notable regional disparities and spatial clustering. Economic deprivation was more severe in central and western regions, while deprivation in living standards was lower along the eastern coast; certain provinces experienced disproportionately high levels of mental health deprivation. Third, intergenerational support played a critical role in alleviating poverty among the rural elderly. In particular, frequent emotional contact and communication from adult children significantly reduced poverty risks across economic, living, and mental health dimensions, whereas instrumental support such as help with housework had limited impact. This study provides empirical evidence to inform anti-poverty and social policy initiatives under the framework of healthy aging, highlighting the need to complement material assistance with strengthened family-based intergenerational support in order to comprehensively enhance the well-being of older populations.