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Survey of health, ageing and retirement in Europe / SHARE

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Definition

The goal of the SHARE surveys (Survey of Health, Ageing and retirement in Europe), conducted on people in Europe aged 50 and over, is to study the effects of population ageing on the health and well-being of individuals, and more generally on the broad economic and social balances in Europe. The surveys have been conducted in waves since 2004, at intervals of around two years. They are carried out simultaneously in 13 European countries on a sample of over 30,000 individuals. The longitudinal aspect allows us to follow very closely the ageing process. The international element makes for instructive comparisons.

In France, the survey is conducted by INSEE in partnership with the Institute for Research and Economic Documentation on Health, on a sample of almost 4,200 eligible respondents, i.e. aged 50 or over or married to a person of 50 years or over. The questions asked cover a variety of themes: health, financial resources, employment, family and social relationships of mutual assistance, housing conditions, activities, projects. The survey also includes some memory and physical tests, such as a test of gripping ability. The third wave of the survey (2009) concerns the life story of the respondents (LIFESTORY).