he aging We don’t live the same way we did a few decades ago. Old age in Argentina is being redefined, positioned between new projects and social and economic tensions. New research from the Center for Social Research (CIS) UADE and Voices! It shows an “increasingly dynamic view of this stage of life.” But “tensions related to the labor market, loneliness and the effects of aging are also being exposed.”
The survey was carried out in July 2025 on 1,028 cases nationwide and revealed how Argentines perceive old age, what their main fears are and what challenges will emerge in an aging society.
“Nearly half of those surveyed (45%) believe that today’s retirement is in a difficult situation.” Become more fulfilled and active “Thirty-six percent say this stage will be more difficult than previous generations,” reflecting a reality marked by inequality.
Perceptions of aging vary widely depending on age and socio-economic resources. The idea of a more active and fulfilling retirement is more prevalent among women, people over 65, people with higher incomes, and people with higher education. In fact, 57% of people 65 and older maintain this positive perception.
On the contrary, the idea of “living together” in old age is greater difficulty “More than before” means 36% of the population. The results “suggest that material and economic conditions remain determinants of how aging is experienced and valued.”
This difference is especially noticeable at extreme ages. While optimism increases among older adults,get off “among” significantly young people 16 to 29 years old (32%)” and “low socio-economic level (38%)” sectors.optimism fades “It may be related to the fact that they experience old age as a distant stage, often filled with negative stereotypes,” the report warns.
According to this research, when discussing retirement projects, The priority is personal well-being. The most popular option was “Travel and enjoy your free time (58%).” This was followed by “engaging in physical or sports activities (38%)” and “moving to a more natural and peaceful environment (30%)”.
In contrast, there is “.Transformation from traditional roles“Only 2 in 10 people (20%) say that their hope after retirement is to take care of their grandchildren and other family members.”
This low percentage is traditional grandfather image “Carers are stuck in the social imagination, and in fact many prefer not to take on new caregiving responsibilities, reserving this stage for their own projects.” This proportion of wanting care falls even further for people aged 50 to 64, reaching just 13%.
Despite positive views on aging, structural issues that affect the integration of older people still exist.
My biggest problem is work. Nine in 10 respondents (86%) “claim that older people face discrimination when accessing the employment system.” This perception is “very widespread” and is even stronger among people closer to retirement age, including “women (89%), people aged 50 to 64 (94%), and people aged 65 and older (96%).”
At a societal level, “8 in 10 respondents (76%) agree that older people are more likely to: suffer from loneliness more than young peopleThis “high consensus suggests that loneliness in old age is recognized as a widespread social problem.”
However, this belief separation It coexists with positive evaluation. Half of those consulted (50%) believe that “elderly people are viewed with admiration by society.”
“Evidence” that both expressions coexist tension Regarding the social status of older people, they are recognized at a symbolic level, but at the same time as isolated or poorly integrated into social life.
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