Gender imbalances in aging populations increase loneliness and risk for elderly women, especially in Lithuania.
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The imbalance between the number of women and men in older age groups is a significant social issue, as single elderly women are more prone to loneliness, isolation, and poverty. In the European Union, there are more women than men, with Baltic countries showing the largest disparities. In Lithuania, while the overall population has more women, the trend of more women than men is particularly pronounced among those aged 49 and older, with the ratio exceeding 1.5 to 1 in the oldest age group. This imbalance is primarily attributed to differences in life expectancy, with women living longer than men, and also influenced by immigration patterns, which favor working-age men. Although the imbalance is noted, experts suggest it may not directly cause a decline in marriage rates. However, the longer life expectancy for women increases their risk of becoming single and facing poverty in old age. While the gender imbalance is observed, trends suggest it may decrease in the future. In Lithuania, loneliness is a growing problem among the elderly, particularly in the 50-64 and 65+ age groups, with the issue being exacerbated by poor health indicators and high poverty rates among seniors, which limits social activity and increases isolation.
