Retirement tied to depression in elderly Pakistanis: study

New research highlights alarming mental health trends among Pakistan’s retired     community, calling for urgent policy action and social support

By Sabahat Muslim

KARACHI: A new research study has shed light on the often-overlooked psychological struggles faced by retired individuals in Pakistan, revealing that a significant number of the elderly suffer from varying degrees of depression due to inadequate social support, financial insecurity, and shifting family dynamics.

The study was published in the latest issue of the Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry, Ziauddin University. It was conducted by a multidisciplinary research team comprising S Jamil Hussain, Sana Zain, and Muhammad Iqbal Memon of The University of Modern Sciences, Tando Muhammad Khan; Fahad Ul Zain of People's University of Medical & Health Sciences, Nawabshah; Mujeeb Ullah Khan Doutani of Baluchistan Institute of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Quetta; and Jamil Junejo of Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro.

Assessing nearly 200 retirees aged 60 and above, the researchers used validated screening tools to evaluate depression levels. Their findings were sobering: depression was widespread, particularly among widowed individuals, retirees from nuclear families, and those who had been out of the workforce for more than five years.

A significant trend emerged linking socio-demographic factors to mental well-being. For example, 56% of widowed respondents experienced mild depression, while more than 40% showed moderate to severe symptoms. Similarly, retirees from non-authoritative or lower-tier jobs reported higher depression rates –38% of them experienced moderate to severe depression, a trend attributed to financial insecurity and limited social influence post-retirement.

Participants living in nuclear family setups—where elderly care is less integrated—were also more likely to report depressive symptoms than those in joint family systems, where intergenerational support appeared to serve as a buffer against psychological distress.

“Retirement in Pakistan is not just a career endpoint; it’s often the start of isolation and emotional hardship, especially without adequate financial and social safety nets,” said one of the study authors.

Gender disparities were also noted, with female retirees showing higher levels of depression—linked to societal roles, caregiving burdens, and financial dependence.

The researchers emphasised that Pakistan’s limited pension coverage, weak public healthcare for the elderly, and lack of post-retirement engagement options are major contributors to mental health issues among retirees. Unlike developed countries, where structured social support systems help ease the transition into retirement, Pakistani retirees are often left to fend for themselves.

The study calls for urgent interventions, including mental health awareness campaigns, structured community engagement programmes, flexible employment opportunities for retirees, and better integration of geriatric care within public health systems.

Without these measures, the report warns, the psychological burden among Pakistan’s aging population will continue to rise—making retirement a time not of rest, but of silent suffering. 

Report courtesy: Social Track, Karachi (25.7.25)