Economic Activity Among Older Adults in Burkina Faso: Between Constrained Ageing and Social Inequalities

Abstract

Population ageing is accelerating in sub-Saharan Africa within a context characterized by limited social protection, widespread informal employment, and weakening family support systems. In Burkina Faso, empirical evidence regarding the economic activity of older individuals remains scarce, despite the rapid growth of this demographic. This study analyzes the determinants of economic activity among individuals aged 60 years and older, utilizing data from the 2019 Population and Housing Census, framed within a biosocial and life-course perspective.

The study is based on a nationally representative sample of 925,946 older individuals. Economic activity status (employed versus non-employed) serves as the dependent variable. Descriptive analyses, bivariate associations (chi-square tests), and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to examine the relationships between activity status and demographic, socioeconomic, household, and contextual characteristics.

Results indicate that 31.1% of older individuals remain economically active, with a significant concentration in the agricultural sector. Economic participation declines sharply with age and is significantly lower among women than men. Higher educational attainment is positively associated with continued economic activity, while pronounced regional disparities persist. Older individuals residing in rural areas and those heading households are more likely to be economically active. Conversely, residence in urban centers other than the capital, higher household living standards, and advanced age substantially reduce the likelihood of participation. The findings underscore the persistence of cumulative inequalities over the life course, intersecting with gender norms, household roles, and regional economic structures.

These results highlight the central role of informal and agricultural employment in sustaining older populations in Burkina Faso. They suggest a need for inclusive social and labor policies that recognize older individuals as economic actors while addressing vulnerability, gender disparities, and the lack of adequate social protection in ageing African societies.