Elements of inequality in pension and health affiliation of colombians

Abstract

The central objective of the paper is to describe the situation of affiliation to health and pensions based on some elements of inequality in Colombia. It is a descriptive, cross-sectional study, using the database of monetary poverty and inequality 2020 (DANE). The vast majority (69.4%) of the Colombians studied belong to the so-called “lower strata” (1, 2 and 3); at least 6 out of 10 people studied spend their time in activities other  than work, which could result in low income; more tan half of the population (52.8%) is affiliated with the subsidized health system and much more than half of the study participants (58.7%) do not currently contribute to pensions. A kind of vicious circle is then concluded in which the welfare and quality of life of the population are faced with elements of inequality; This is how, by not having sufficient income through work and remaining stationed in a low socioeconomic stratum, the chances of ensuring social protection in old age are minimized, where optimal living conditions can be guaranteed, and on the other hand, although the characteristics of the system health services facilitate coverage for the majority of the population (without the ability to pay), access to paid health services that are of interest to the user is not guaranteed.