GGP Erfi2

The Study of Family and Intergenerational Relations - Erfi2 is part of the international Generations and Gender Programme (GGP). Launched at the initiative of the United Nations Commission for Europe, it aims to describe family situations in all their diversity and, in particular, the relationships between individuals and their parents, children, grandchildren and step-children.

The first round of surveys was carried out in around twenty countries, including France, in the early 2000s. Since then, relationships within families, between spouses and between generations have continued to change. Blended families are more common. Young people are studying longer and finding it harder to find jobs and accommodation. With life expectancy increasing, it is more and more common for people to have to help an elderly relative. A new round of data collection was launched in 2020, in the form of 3 waves, each 3 years apart.

INED conducted a new survey, involving men and women aged between 18 and 79. The survey covers all family situations: single or in a couple, with or without children, employed or unemployed, in order to understand the complexity of today’s families and the way in which people go through the different stages of their lives. The results of the scientific research will inform public debate on issues such as family-work balance, relations between the generations and gender equality.

The survey is recognised as being of general interest and of statistical quality by the French National Council for Statistical Information (CNIS).

The first wave of the French survey ended in July 2024.

A first issue of Population et Sociétés was published in July 2024 using data from the first wave: Milan Bouchet-Valat, Laurent Toulemon (2025). People in France want fewer children, Population & Societies, no. 635. https://doi.org/10.3917/popsoc.635.0001

Analysis of the results continues. A meeting of the operating group in mid-May provided an opportunity to present the progress made by several groups. The international file was made available to researchers on the GGP website in June, less than a year after the end of data collection.

The second wave of data collection will take place in 2027.