Migration Decisions in the Fourth Age: The Case of East Asian Retirees in Thailand.

Previous studies have not amply explored the next move of older adults currently spending their retirement abroad. This paper examined the future migration decisions of East Asian retirees in the last stage of life marked by frailty, dependency, and abjection (i.e. the fourth age). A survey of Chinese and Japanese retirees in Thailand ( n  = 204) was conducted during 2019-2021. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that age, income, religion, residence, Thai spouse/partner, and property at origin were significantly associated with future migration decisions ( p  < .05). Future research and policymaking should enhance Thailand's capacity to facilitate fourth age living.