Lifespan Kin Availability in Three Low Fertility Populations

Colin Odden, Ohio State University

There is significant room for variability in the composition of kin networks even under low population fertility. This project examines the presence of close kin (parents, spouses, siblings and children) over individuals’ life span using data from three low-fertility populations: Brazil, India and Tunisia. Microsimulation methods are used to project populations from recent period fertility, to present the consequences of fertility heterogeneity – holding the patterns of mortality and nuptiality constant – for kin availability. Implications for family support, burden of care, and intergenerational transfers will be discussed.