The family unit has remained strong across generations: The family plays an important role in the lives of older people throughout Europe. Today, more people than ever before have living children when reaching old age. However, the SHARE data shows that significant differences between southern and northern Europe exist with regard to living arrangements, family structure, proximity and contacts. In Denmark, for example, only 13 per cent of respondents live with their offspring. The corresponding figure for Spain is 52 per cent, and more than 80 per cent of people live in the direct vicinity of their children. A similar contrast is apparent in terms of the amount of contact parents have with their children: while 42 per cent of Danes see their parents every day, the corresponding figure for respondents in the Mediterranean countries nudges 86 per cent. Still, the potential for everyday family support is high all across Europe. Particularly time spent helping others or looking after grandchildren is substantial: About a third of the persons age 65 and over reported that they helped others or looked after grandchildren on a daily basis, and they spent on average 4.6 hours per day on such activities.
Parents give in the North, while children give in the South: The SHARE data show that intergenerational financial transfers are a major source of household wealth, but there is a clear North–South gradient. In the North, younger individuals receive more from their parents, while in the South, younger individuals frequently provide more for their parents. The study also shows that the distribution of inheritances is also very unequal. In terms of amounts inherited, the top 5 per cent of households have received about two thirds of all inheritances.