Kinship and family relationships, especially at older ages, are essential for providing emotional and practical support, companionship and a sense of belonging, all of which have a significant impact on well-being and identity throughout life. With an ageing population, understanding kinlessness - the absence of close kin - is becoming increasingly important because of its potential impact on both individual and community well-being.
Focusing on older adults aged 65 and over (65+) in 26 European countries and Israel, Marta Pittavino, Bruno Arpino and Elena Pirani analyse data from Wave 8 (2019-2020) of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Their study provides an in-depth examination of the presence or absence of five key close kinship ties - partners, children, grandchildren, parents and siblings - and their various combinations.
The study shows that the proportion of people aged 65 and over without a partner ranges from 30% to over 50%, while childlessness varies from less than 5% to over 15%. Grandchildlessness closely mirrors childlessness, ranging from 8% to 30%, with variations between countries influenced by differences in fertility and mortality. The proportion of older adults with at least one surviving parent is generally low (over 8% in some cases), while a significant proportion (50-90%) has siblings.
This variability in the absence of specific kin reflects the complex interplay of cultural, historical and demographic factors that influence kinship structures in different social contexts, resulting in different levels of kinlessness. For example, the proportion of older people who have neither a partner nor children is estimated to range from 2% to over 8%. When grandchildren are included, the prevalence of kinlessness rises to between 8% and 18%.
The high presence of siblings in the older population reduces the prevalence of people lacking all five types of kin - partners, children, grandchildren, parents and siblings - from as low as 1 in 100 in some countries to more than 4 in 100 in others. These findings underline the complexity of kinlessness and show that countries cannot be easily categorised according to its prevalence.
The study also shows that patterns of kinlessness vary according to several factors, with significant heterogeneity across countries. For example, kinlessness tends to be higher among those aged 80 and over, due to widowhood and mortality, although some countries show no significant difference compared to those aged 65-79.
While women's longer life expectancy often leads to higher rates of kinlessness, some countries show higher rates of male kinlessness due to differences in partnership dynamics and childlessness. Urban areas generally show higher rates of kinlessness, influenced by fertility and mobility patterns, although there are exceptions. Finally, in most cases, the level of education has a minimal effect on kinlessness.
The variations in kinlessness across countries are not merely a numerical curiosity; they highlight significant population sub-groups in Europe who lack close family ties traditionally relied upon for support in older age. Even those with kin may face challenges, such as loss of contact, geographical distance, or family members who are unwilling or unable to provide support. Kinlessness has profound implications, influencing the demand for institutional care, the sustainability of pension systems, and the overall well-being of older individuals. In addition, unmet care needs can extend to those with kin due to loss of contact, geographical distance, or family members who are unwilling or unable to provide support.