Migratory stages of aging in the municipality Tocópero, Falcon state, Venezuela

This article studies the immigration of elders living in poverty in the municipality of Tocópero (Falcon, Venezuela). This municipality shows an important population aging. INE figures were used and 44 elders were interviewed. The emigration is caused by the incapacity of the municipality to provide work and education, as well as by the low quality of life offered to the municipality’s inhabitants. There are some gender differences in the migration process and youngsters continue migrating. It is concluded that Tocópero shows the demographic disparity in Venezuela. The emigrants who return to their home town cannot overcome poverty, age without social security and live in poor conditions. The municipality had not been able to provide a local development so as to change the demographic perspective.