Fertility decline, family structure, and support for older persons in Latin America and Asia.

OBJECTIVE

To compare family structures and support for older persons in two Asian countries (Taiwan and the Philippines) and six urban areas in Latin America (Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Havana, Santiago, Mexico City, and Montevideo).

METHODS

Using the 1999 Survey of Health and Living Status of the Elderly in Taiwan, the 2000 Philippine Survey of the Near Elderly and Elderly, and the 2001 Pan American Health Organisation surveys on Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento en América Latina y el Caribe, descriptive tables show variations across countries in family structure, proximity, and transfers of support by the timing of the fertility transition in each location.

RESULTS

Older people in settings with earlier transitions had fewer children and more childlessness, higher levels of solitary living, and lower levels of co-residence with children. In earlier transition settings, receipt of family support was lower and provision higher.

DISCUSSION

The timing of the demographic transition has significant implications for kin availability and support.