Tkachenko O.V., Museve A. The Quality of Life for the Elderly in Russia and Kenya: A Comparative Analysis
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15688/lp.jvolsu.2026.2.11
Olga V. Tkachenko
Doctor of Sciences (Sociology), Professor, Department of Russian Statehood, Sociological and Political Sciences, Volgograd State University
Prosp. Universitetsky, 100, 400062 Volgograd, Russian Federation
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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1389-1415
Audrey Museve
Postgraduate Student, Department of Russian Statehood, Sociological, and Political Sciences, Volgograd State University
Prosp. Universitetsky, 100, 400062 Volgograd, Russian Federation
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5077-611X
Abstract. The article is devoted to a comparative analysis of the basic aspects of the quality of life of the elderly in Russia and Kenya in the circumstances of the implementation of international and state social programs aimed at creating conditions for successful and active longevity. Sociological studies conducted in Russia (Volgograd, n = 221) and Kenya (districts of Nyamira, Kisii, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, and Kisumu, n = 385) allowed us to formulate several theses that explicate the subjective assessment of the elderly regarding the quality of their life in certain aspects: health, nutrition, financial well-being, social support, and areas of self-realization. The results of the empirical studies revealed several main trends related to the quality of life of elderly people in the two countries under comparison. Firstly, in general, when considering 60 years as the age of an elderly person, the respondents do not agree with the age threshold for starting pension payments, expressing the need to lower it. Secondly, in general, the average and low health ratings are associated with the need to visit both public and private clinics, while in Kenya, they are the result of forced self-medication due to the lack of access to medical care. Thirdly, despite low ratings of standard of living, the elderly in Russia prioritize maintaining their employment during retirement to improve their food, housing, and overall quality of life, unlike Kenyans who are forced to work to meet their basic needs. Finally, both countries rely on the government as the primary agent of socio-economic support. In general, with a more prosperous lifestyle for the elderly in Russia, there is a focus on a traditional, passive model of the elderly’s social position in society, which is limited to engaging in various leisure activities. The low socio-economic well-being of Kenyans is combined with a desire for a progressive model of behavior, i.e., self-realization and development in old age through participation in political, social, cultural, educational, and other types of public activities.
Key words: active longevity, elderly, quality of life, standard of living, behavioral strategies.
Citation. Tkachenko O.V., Museve A. The Quality of Life for the Elderly in Russia and Kenya: A Comparative Analysis. Logos et Praxis, 2026, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 104-112. (in Russian). DOI: https://doi.org/10.15688/lp.jvolsu.2026.2.11
The Quality of Life for the Elderly in Russia and Kenya: A Comparative Analysis © 2026 by Tkachenko O.V., Museve A. is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
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