Urban-rural consumption differences among the elderly in developed regions: Evidence from Zhejiang, China.

ABSTRACT: This study examines the consumption patterns of older adults and the urban-rural disparities in Zhejiang Province, a highly developed yet rapidly aging region of China. A total of 276 valid samples were obtained from Ningbo, Hangzhou, and Wenzhou through a mixed approach combining online snowball sampling with offline random sampling. A LASSO regression model was employed to assess the effect of residence while controlling for socioeconomic variables. The results indicate that urban older adults spend significantly more than their rural counterparts, with average monthly consumption reaching 3,980 RMB compared to 2,502 RMB. Urban residence was associated with an increase of 995 RMB in total expenditure, with higher spending observed on housing, food, daily necessities, leisure and educatio

SUBMITTER: Yin Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12654945 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature