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Vol 41 No 3 (2026): September

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Submitted
Oct 4, 2024
Accepted
Apr 16, 2026
Published
Sep 28, 2026
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Work-Centrality Views and Older People’s Labor Participation: Comparison between the Silent and Baby Boomer Generations

https://doi.org/10.22146/jieb.v41i3.16835
Jamalludin Jamalludin
Population Studies Program, Graduate School, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55284, Indonesia
Setiadi Setiadi
Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Cultural Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia

Journal of Indonesian Economy and Business, Vol 41 No 3 (2026): September

Abstract

Introduction/Main Objectives: This paper examines the relationship between older adults’ views on work and their labor force participation. Background Problems: In Indonesia, limited pension coverage and widespread informal employment encourage many older adults to remain in the labor force. However, the roles of work centrality, generational differences, and social class in shaping their participation remain underexplored. Novelty: Unlike previous studies that focus on younger cohorts, this study compares work participation between the silent generation and baby boomers, providing insights into future patterns of older adult labor supply. Research Methods: This study uses data from the World Values Survey (2001, 2006, and 2018). A quantitative approach is employed, combining descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression. The unit of analysis is individuals aged 56–69 years. Generation and work centrality serve as the main independent variables. Finding/Results: Work centrality is significantly associated with older adults’ labor participation, particularly among the working and lower-middle social classes. In addition, baby boomers are more likely to continue working in later life than the silent generation. Conclusion: Later-born generations show a higher probability of working at older ages, while the influence of work centrality varies across social groups. These findings highlight the importance of policies that consider generational and class-based differences in older adults’ employment.

Keywords

older worker work centrality baby boomer silent generation older
Jamalludin, J., & Setiadi, S. (2026). Work-Centrality Views and Older People’s Labor Participation: Comparison between the Silent and Baby Boomer Generations. Journal of Indonesian Economy and Business, 41(3), 523 –. https://doi.org/10.22146/jieb.v41i3.16835
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Author Biographies

Jamalludin Jamalludin, Population Studies Program, Graduate School, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55284, Indonesia

Jamalludin is a doctoral student in the Population Studies Program at the Graduate School, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Indonesia, where he has been pursuing his doctoral studies since 2024. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Statistik (STIS), Indonesia, and his Master’s degree in Population and Labor Economics from Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia. His research interests include population aging and labor economics. He has actively collaborated with researchers from various fields on numerous research projects.

Setiadi Setiadi, Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Cultural Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia

Setiadi is a Professor, lecturer, and researcher at the Department of Anthropology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Indonesia, where he has been a faculty member since 1998. He was appointed Professor in 2022. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. He earned his Master’s degree in Population Studies from the Faculty of Geography, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, and completed his Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. His research interests include migration anthropology, human societies, and the anthropology of development. He has actively collaborated with researchers from various fields on numerous research projects and has published extensively in leading international journals.

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