Spatial analysis of elderly population according to demographic and socioeconomic indicators in Turkey

SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF ELDERLY POPULATION ACCORDING TODEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC INDICATORS IN TURKEY(M.Sc. Thesis)Filiz ZEYBEK BİRHANGAZI UNIVERSITYINSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYSeptember 2006ABSTRACTThe share of elderly population in the world has been increasing, especially indeveloped countries. In order to satisfy the needs of this population group, newlegislations and structural changes of the social security policies, both indeveloped and developing countries are enforced. This study analyzesdemographic and socioeconomic indicators that describe the characteristics ofthe elderly population and its spatial distribution. These indicators show thatthe structure of the elderly population in Turkey shows similarities with that ofother developing countries in the world. The study finds that the share of theelderly population increases from eastern Turkey, which is less developed, towestern Turkey, which is more developed. In addition, the study concludes thatnew social security policies should be introduced to prevent the poverty of theelderly population.Science Code : 805.16144Key Words : Elderly population, spatial distribution, demographiccomponents and characteristics of ageing, social security policies,TurkeyPage Number : 120Adviser : Assis. Prof. Nilgün GÖRER TAMER