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.

摘要： 本文再界定了农村留守老人概念，利用调查数据，比较分析了非留守、准留守和留守老人的生存现状，探析了农村老年人生存状况的影响因素。研究发现，子女的供养水平低、生活水平低是农村留守、准留守与非留守老人共同存在的问题，留守和准留守老人更有可能生活在贫困之中。来自子女的非正式支持、以新型农村合作医疗保险和新型农村社会养老保险为主的正式社会支持对农村老年人生活水平的提高具有显著的推动作用。