Global Family Bonding Study

• The Varkey Foundation publishes the world’s first global intergenerational study of family bonding, surveying children, parents, Gen Z, and grandparents – spanning 15 countries
• 82% of parents, 79% of grandparents and 74% of children rate quality time with their family as “very important”, alongside 66% of Gen Z
• 60% of parents say screen time and digital devices have harmed their family’s opportunity to bond, while 52% say they feel they are competing with devices for their child’s attention
• Busy schedules are also major barriers to family bonding, with 48% of parents, 42% of children, 30% of grandparents citing work-related pressures as obstacles to spending more time together
• 90% of grandparents believe spending more time with family would benefit their health, including 42% who say it would lead to better mental health and 40% who believe it would leave them feeling happier or less lonely

The Family First Global Survey reveals that families around the world place significant value on spending time together, but work commitments and screen time are making it harder for generations to build and maintain strong family bonds.

For parents, the challenge is particularly clear. Six in ten (60%) say screen time and digital devices have harmed their family’s opportunity to bond, while 52% feel they are competing with devices for their child’s attention. More than half (54%) also say their family spends more time “doing tasks” than connecting.

The pressures are not limited to parents. A third of children (34%) say screen time prevents them from spending more time bonding as a family, while 51% of grandparents say digital devices have harmed their family’s opportunity to bond. Among Gen Z, 34% identify screen time as the biggest obstacle to family connection, and only 12% feel their family is not distracted when they are together.

The findings come from the world’s first global intergenerational study of family bonding, surveying children, parents, Gen Z and grandparents. It features the world’s first Family Bonding Index, which assigns countries a score based on the strength of family connections. It reflects a longstanding commitment to fostering strong family values and encouraging greater support between children and parents, contributing to healthier and longer lives. It is rooted in the belief that education goes far beyond academic achievement – it shapes values and develops not only students, but future parents, future leaders, and stronger societies.

Work and busy schedules are making family time harder

Technology is not the only pressure on family time. Almost half (48%) of parents globally say lack of time or work pressure prevents them from spending more time bonding as a family. This rises to 68% in Kenya, 61% in Brazil and 59% in Malaysia.

Children report a similar experience, with 42% saying their parents working prevents them from spending more time together. Among parents, the pressure of busy family life is also reflected in the fact that 54% say they spend more time “doing tasks” than connecting.

Families value time together across generations

Despite the pressures, parents see family responsibility as something that extends across generations. More than eight in ten parents (82%) and nearly eight in ten grandparents (79%) rate quality time with their family as “very important”, as do 74% of children and 66% of Gen Z.

However, there are significant differences between countries. Among parents, 95% in both Nigeria and Kenya and 94% in Brazil rate quality family time as “very important”, compared with 48% in Japan, 64% in China and 74% in the UAE. Among children, Brazil and Nigeria (both 94%) and India (89%) record the highest levels, while Japan (55%), Sweden (58%) and Argentina (59%) record the lowest.

That desire for connection also extends across generations. More than four in five parents (81%) say they plan to look after their own parents as they age, rising to 96% in Nigeria, 93% in Malaysia and 90% in Brazil.

The importance of family connection is particularly clear among older generations. Nine in ten grandparents (90%) believe spending more time with their family would benefit their health, including 42% who say it would lead to better mental health and 40% who believe it would leave them feeling happier or less lonely.

Sunny Varkey, Founder of Family First and the Varkey Foundation, said:

“This landmark report clearly shows that family bonds are under strain. Economic pressures, conflict, geographical distance and technological change all make it harder for families to spend meaningful time together. Across many societies, this is contributing to weaker intergenerational relationships, greater loneliness among older people and less time shared between children, parents and grandparents. Yet the family remains the most fundamental building block of every community, making it more important than ever to understand, protect and strengthen these relationships.”

Download the full report here.