Older migrants, health and well-being

The chapter reviews literature on health and well-being within the broader framework of the migration - ageing nexus. While plenty of research has investigated health and well-being among individuals with a migration background, few studies have analysed these topics among older migrants. The chapter first explores older migrants’ subjective well-being, highlighting the role of migration-specific factors such as forced migration, cultural uprooting, homesickness, cultural and language barriers, discrimination, etc., in addition to the classical determinants related for example to income, social relations, religion and living environment. Next, it summarises what most research to date has found on older migrants’ health. Empirical evidence suggests that results are mixed and strongly dependent on the context, the migrant group, and the health outcome considered in the analysis. The chapter concludes identifying some of the main limitations in the existing studies and suggesting recommendations for future research.