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Pensions and Nutritional Outcomes

delivery worker picking up a package from a local african market trader. | image by wirestock on Freepik

Policy Context

Africa’s aging population and shifting dietary patterns towards more refined products suggest a worrying trend for malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to higher rates of obesity from these dietary changes, high levels of poverty have simultaneously led to significant levels of undernutrition since many cannot afford to purchase nutrient-dense food. These trends place sub-Saharan Africa’s elderly population particularly at risk for health issues, with malnutrition reaching levels of nearly 30% or higher. Social protection programs for the elderly, including universal old-age pension systems, are targeted to address poverty, health, and hunger. This study fills a policy gap by examining the impact of the Zanzibar Universal Pension Scheme (ZUPS), a non-contributory pension scheme available to all Zanzibar residents aged 70 and over, on the nutritional outcomes of the elderly and their households.

Study Design

The study used household-level panel data from the Tanzania Living Standards Measurement Survey to assess how the ZUPS impacts food demand and nutritional outcomes. Researchers focused on changes in nutrient intake and food consumption patterns within households, exploring the broader implications of these shifts on household food security and health.

Results and Policy Lessons:

Preliminary findings from the study reveal that households with higher budgets, due to the presence of elderly pensioners, show increased demand for energy-rich foods and fresh produce, which leads to improved Vitamin C intake. Older women, in particular, have a stronger influence on household food choices, and the addition of an elderly family member receiving the pension shifts consumption priorities within the household. This shift occurs because the pension boosts household income, allowing for more nutritious food options.

These findings suggest that expanding pension programs like ZUPS can significantly improve the nutrition of elderly people and their families. The study will continue by exploring more data and examining how the pension income of elderly family members affects their influence on household food decisions.

Areas of work
Global Networks
Countries
Tanzania
Keywords
Nutrition