Ageing, Religion, and Living Arrangements in Bhutan

Religion is an essential element among the elderly population of South-East Asian and South Asian countries. Several scholars have examined the intersections between ageing and religion in countries such as China, Japan, Singapore, India, and Bangladesh. Adding to this scholarship, this chapter explores the role of religion on the older adults of Bhutan, a country that is dominated by Buddhist principles. Though Buddhism as a religious order is embedded in the everyday lives of the Bhutanese population, nonetheless, in gerontological scholarship, the Bhutanese elderly have remained under-investigated. Relying on qualitative methods, this chapter illustrates how the ideals and traditions of Buddhism determine the course of ageing in Bhutan. Additionally, this chapter highlights the changing intergenerational relationships and living arrangements and how these factors affect the elderly population of Bhutan. In particular, this chapter shows how high-internal migration rates among the younger generation are leading to a restructuring of filial expectations and emotional bonds among the older adults of Bhutan. In the process, this chapter also illustrates how external network ties and healthcare policies shape the later life experiences of the Bhutanese elderly. Finally, this chapter reflects on some of the emerging concerns of the older population of Bhutan and provides a policy perspective to enhance the overall well-being of the older adults in Bhutan.