Levels of welfarism and intergenerational transfers within the family: evidence from the Global Ageing Survey (GLAS)

Population ageing and societal change challenge traditional familial values and dynamics and as a result understanding intergenerational transfers – of a financial, practical and personal nature – within the family as populations age and societies adopt greater (or perhaps lower) levels of welfare provision is important from both a fundamental sociological and a policy point of view. This paper presents results from analyses of data from the Global Ageing Survey (GLAS) to examine determinants of intergenerational transfers within the family across 21 economies on five continents. The results reveal interesting cross-cultural differences in the factors affecting transfers.