Prof. Fangyuan Chen
Current Situation of Continued Employment Among Macao’s Elderly Population
Prof. Fangyuan Chen, Associate Professor in Marketing of the Faculty of Business Administration (FBA) at UM and member of the APAEM Smart Tourism Team, along with Erya Liu, a master’s student in Data Science at the same faculty, recently co-authored an article in Macao Daily News, shedding light on the current employment situation among Macao’s elderly population. Prof. Chen’s research team conducted field visits to multiple senior centers in Macao, successfully collecting 182 valid questionnaires. The data revealed that while a majority of Macao residents aged 65 and above express strong employment intentions, the actual employment rate stands at only 26%, reflecting that societal support for silver-haired workers still requires improvement.
The study found a significant divergence between the motivations for continued employment among Macao’s elderly and traditional assumptions. Most respondents prioritized non-economic factors, such as social engagement and maintaining physical and mental vitality. The research also highlighted two key factors influencing employment decisions: family support and education level. Elderly individuals who received encouragement from their children, as well as those with at least a junior high school education, demonstrated notably higher employment motivation.
In a related study, Prof. Chen introduced the concept of “silver wisdom,” emphasizing the valuable assets that elderly individuals bring to society—rich experience, stability, and sound judgment. She noted that if businesses effectively leverage these qualities, they could not only alleviate labor shortages but also foster intergenerational collaboration among employees.
Based on the findings, the research team proposed a multi-stakeholder approach to promote senior employment: the government should refine policy frameworks, businesses should establish age-friendly workplace environments, and family members should provide stronger support. This study not only offers crucial insights for Macao in addressing its aging population challenges but also provides empirical evidence to inform broader social development strategies.
For further details, please read the original news via this link.