Measuring the Overlap with Ancestors throughout the Life Course of the Swedish Cohorts 1751-2000

Measuring generational overlap, i.e. the extent to which individuals share their lives with relatives from other generations, is essential for examining how demographic changes affect family structures and intergenerational relationships over time. This research uses Socsim microsimulation and Swedish fertility and mortality data (1751–2100) to estimate the probability of having living parents, grandparents and great-grandparents throughout the life course for cohorts born between 1751 and 2000. Three key measures are calculated: the mean number of living ancestors at birth, the distribution of living generations at birth and at age 20, and lifetime overlap with each ancestor, operationalised as years with at least one living ancestor, person-years of overlap, and mean overlap per ancestor. The results show an increasing lifetime overlap with ancestors over time, particularly with parents and grandparents, and among cohorts born after 1850. The analysis also reveals greater overlap with female ancestors, particularly grandmothers and great-grandmothers, than with their male counterparts. By measuring lifetime overlap with ancestors by age and cohort, the study highlights how demographic changes have increased opportunities for intergenerational relationships, support and caregiving.