Abstract: The paper defines the concept of the rural left-behind elderly, and analyzes the living status of the left-behind, quasi left-behind and non-left-behind elderly using sampling survey data. The determinants of living status of the elderly in rural areas are also disclosed. The result reveals that the living standard of the rural left-behind, quasi left-behind and non-left-behind elderly are low. Left behind and quasi left-behind elderly are more likely to live in poverty. Economic support severed by children as the main informal social support, new type rural social endowment insurance and new rural cooperative medical system as the main formal social support have significant effects on improving the living standard of the elderly in rural areas.