Social inequality among elderly individuals caused by climate change: Evidence from the migratory elderly of mainland China

Faced with severe and growing social inequality among elderly individuals, a more complete understanding of the interconnection between the seasonal migration of the elderly and climate change is clearly needed. This paper tries to clarify the relation between the seasonal migration of the elderly and climate change from a multidimensional perspective. Our study adds to the research on population aging against the background of climate change. This study shows that climate change has a significant impact on regional population aging and that there are significant internal differences between the distribution and scale of the migratory elderly stemming from unequal environmental conditions. Advanced economic conditions and relatively comfortable environments have put some pressure on social endowment services in the three provinces of Northeast China, especially Liaoning Province. With their complex migration mechanism, the fate of the elderly in mainland China is closely intertwined with climatic factors, individual and socioeconomic conditions, traditional cultural backgrounds, etc. A comparatively advanced economy, well-developed endowment resources, and a comfortable environment will help in the development of regional aging resources. Regional inequality and the pursuit of a meaningful life have created different categories of migratory elderly. •Climate change makes the seasonal migration characteristics of the middle-class elderly more distinct.•The migratory elderly in mainland China is closely intertwined with climatic, individual and socioeconomic conditions.•Regional inequality and the pursuit towards value and spirit in life have formed different kinds of migratory elderly.