Determinants of Residence with Kin: A Comparative Analysis of 300 Samples of 90 Countries, 1703-2023

Steven Ruggles, University of Minnesota
Albert Esteve, Center for Demographic Studies (Barcelona)
Joan Garcia, CED

This paper presents new comparative findings about the living arrangements of older people in 90 countries, based on analysis of over 300 censuses and surveys taken between 1703 and 2023. In particular, we assess the relationship of basic demographic and economic conditions to and residence with kin. The analysis exploits all IPUMS International and IPUMS USA samples that include the requisite information. The dependent variable is the percentage of persons aged 65 or older residing with kin other than a spouse (usually adult children). The main independent variables are agricultural employment among working age men, percent of the population aged 65 or older, and measures of marital fertility and age at marriage. Our preliminary analysis using OLS at the sample level indicates that these variables can account for an extraordinary 84% of the variation in residence with kin. This simple model can account for the great bulk of cross-temporal and regional variation in residence with kin, including the dramatic decline in coresidence that has occurred in Northwest Europe and North America. We are now extending the analysis to incorporate subnational demographic and economic measures and individual-level covariates.

Keywords: Families, Unions and Households, Historical Demography, Older Adults and Intergenerational Relations

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