Objectives: To analyze the inequalities of population aging in Brazil by a new measure - relative age combined with characteristics approach.
Methods: Data from the 2015-2016 Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) were analyzed. Population subgroups over 50 years old had their relative ages calculated, considering schooling level and self-reported skin color/race. Handgrip strength was employed as a physical health indicator.
Results: Results show that Brazilians of the same birth cohort can have more than 10 years of difference between their relative ages. Depending on the schooling level, Brazilians can present characteristics of people 10 years younger (or older) compared with those in the same chronological age. Males who declared themselves Brown have their relative ages up to 4.9 years higher compared with those in the same chronological age and White.