Social Research Center Presented First Nationwide Study on Intergenerational Solidarity in Azerbaijan

On May 14, 2025, in Baku, Azerbaijan, in honor of May 15, International Day of Families, the Social Research Center hosted a roundtable titled “Intergenerational Solidarity in the Context of Family Relations and Sustainable Development” that is a part of the global respective agenda. The event featured the official release of a landmark report, Intergenerational Relations in Azerbaijan: Family Solidarity and Care, authored by Humay Akhundzada, Head of Sector at the Center.

The landmark nationwide research project carried out a social survey focused on the target audience’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in family. It is dedicated to understanding intergenerational family relationships through sociological lens, assessing family dynamics, and sheds light on the comprehensive findings that were unveiled at the roundtable to mark a milestone in discussing topical relations by highlighting evolved care norms, emotional ties, mutual support, and communication patterns across generations in modern Azerbaijani society.

Intergenerational relations in the context of family solidarity

This study provides evidence-based critical insight into how Azerbaijani families function today, precisely on how family members stay connected even when living apart. Our findings reflect a balance between strong cultural values and new forms of intergenerational interaction shaped by education, urbanization, and changing family norms. The outputs offer a comprehensive view of how generations care for, support, and connect with each other, namely, about how these dynamics are evolving. It points out both global trends and local nuances, offering a foundation for future family policies and academic research.

Humay Akhundzada, author of the study

Report Overview and Key Findings:

The report, based on a representative survey of 1,170 participants across 12 economic regions, applies the globally recognized intergenerational solidarity theory by Bengtson and Roberts. It focuses on three generational groups: young adults (18–39), the middle generation (40–59), and older adults (60+).

Key findings include:

• Cohabitation norms are strong, however, the younger generation also shows a strong desire for separate living or autonomy

• High frequency of emotional and practical communication, regardless of living arrangements

• Mutual aid flows in both directions, often shaped by financial capacity and family roles, while the older generation reports providing support to the younger generation more frequently

• Normative expectations are strong that parents feel responsible for their children’s future; however, among horizontal family relationships, younger respondents show lower expectations of mutual responsibility

• Care responsibilities are heavily influenced by gender roles, class, and family structure

The study also introduces new data on:

• The ratio of extended to nuclear families

• The number of people living alone across different age groups and economic regions

• The interconnectedness of education and divorce on intergenerational ties

• The decline in grandparent-grandchild interaction when living separately

Future Policy and Research Impact

Speakers at the event emphasized the potential of this research to shape national family policy and social perceptions.

The family is a micro-model of both society and the state. In this innovative study, intergenerational issues within evolving family models influenced by modern dynamics are examined from various perspectives.

Professor Tahira Allahyarova, Deputy Chair of the SRC

What binds generations isn’t just obligation – it is s interdependence. This study shows how practical and emotional support flow both ways in our families, reinforcing social cohesion.

Seymur Aliyev, Head of Social and Economic Analysis at the Center

Responsible Use and Research Integrity

The study follows rigorous methodological standards and prioritizes context-sensitive analysis. While referencing international theories, the generational definitions and interpretations are tailored to Azerbaijani cultural and demographic realities.

Research Methodology and Framework

The research design ensures both global rigor and cultural sensitivity. Generational categories were adapted from WHO age classifications and adjusted for local relevance. Unlike “generation theory” (e.g., Gen X/Y/Z), this study grouped individuals by roles, not birth year. In other words, the research refined to reflect functional roles within family systems — parent, child, or grandparent — rather than generational labels like Gen X or Millennials. This design helped uncover functionally relevant data on cohabitation, emotional proximity, and care norms.

The report centers around five main analytical objectives:

1. Identifying actual and desired cohabitation forms

2. Analyzing the intensity and means of intergenerational communication

3. Assessing emotional closeness and value alignment

4. Examining patterns of mutual aid and caregiving

5. Investigating care norms and expectations tied to family solidarity

This is the first time Intergenerational Solidarity Theory has been systematically applied in Azerbaijan. It opens the door to new, culturally informed understandings of how family systems evolve — and how public institutions can support them.

Humay Akhundzada, author of the study

Voices from the Roundtable: Highlights

Key topics included:

• The importance of traditional care responsibilities in modern contexts

• The role of education and marital status in shaping intergenerational dynamics

• Preliminary hypotheses for further sociological exploration

Academic Relevance and Institutional Reflections: Expert Commentary and Policy Perspectives

The event featured contributions from government officials, academics, and sociologists, all of whom emphasized the research project’s importance in informing future family policy and social development strategies.

• Aynur Veysalova-Abbasova, advisor to the apparatus of the National Assembly, spoke about the significance of the issues addressed in the report for shaping family policy in Azerbaijan, as well as the reality of intergenerational relations in the country.

• Kamila Aliyeva, Deputy Head of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, delivered a report titled “Looking to the Future Through the Lens of Traditional Values: Key Responsibilities of Families and the State.”

• Nigar Shahhuseynbayova, Chair of the Social Work Department at Azerbaijan University, discussed the role of the family within the framework of national and moral values.

• Nailakhanim Rustamova, Senior Advisor of the Center’s Public Opinion Research Department, addressed youth marriage patterns as an indicator of shifting family dynamics.

 Broader Views

The discussion further highlighted the importance of the research in informing social policy, academic programs, and future sociological inquiry. Experts from a range of institutions contributed additional insights, including representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Psychology and the Department of Social Work of Baku State University, the Department of Social and Cultural Activities at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

Call to Action

The Social Research Center invites government bodies, academic institutions, and NGOs to engage with the report findings and apply its insights in efforts to empower and promote shaping policy mechanisms in line with the contemporary essentials of the family structures and intergenerational bonds.

For access to the full report or to contact the research team, please reach out to  office@stm.az or visit www.stm.az and the social media of the SRC.