Survey

The first European caregiver framework: the silent pillar supporting families

Almost three out of 10 Europeans care for a family member who loses autonomy. In Italy, the phenomenon involves more than a third of the population, with an average commitment of 15 hours per week

by Francesca Cerati

7 October 2025

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

In a rapidly ageing Europe, caregiving is now a structural dimension of family life. This is confirmed by the first European overview of non-professional caregivers, published by Clariane in cooperation with OpinionWay, which surveyed 13,500 people in six countries (Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy and the Netherlands).

The study shows that 28% of Europeans regularly assist a loved one who is losing autonomy. In Italy, the share rises to 34%, a sign of a still deep-rooted family solidarity but also of a fragile public support network.

The profile of caregivers

Caregivers are on average 47 years old, live in cities (64%) and are often still professionally active (77%). The commitment is substantial: 15 hours per week in Italy, against a European average of 13. One third of Italian caregivers provide care every day, and 15% exceed 21 hours per week, an almost 'professional' level.

Nine out of ten caregivers help a family member: in 52% of cases a parent, in 16% a grandparent. The main reasons are old age (84%), illness (78%) and disability (53%).

A concrete and multidimensional aid

The care provided is varied and demanding: material (77 per cent), psychological (61 per cent), administrative (57 per cent) and physical (54 per cent). Only 19 per cent also contribute financially, but personal involvement is high. In eight out of ten cases, the caregiver takes on most of the care alone.

Assistance is perceived as a conscious choice (84% of Europeans, 87% in Italy), not as an obligation, and for the majority it has strengthened the bond with the person assisted.

Between satisfaction and fatigue

Behind the commitment, however, lies a significant burden. 71% of European carers report feeling often or sometimes overburdened; 69% report repercussions on physical or psychological health, and more than half report difficulties in family or professional life.

According to the Mini-Zarit test, which measures the intensity of the perceived burden, the European average value is 3.1 out of 7, but in Italy it rises to 3.5, among the highest on the continent. Despite this, 93% of Italian caregivers declare pride in their role and more than half (65%) say that caring has strengthened family ties.

Insufficient public support

The study also reveals a strong sense of institutional neglect. Only 46 per cent of caregivers believe that concrete help measures exist, and barely 42 per cent feel informed about available opportunities. 82 per cent call for more public support, a percentage that exceeds 90 per cent in Spain and Italy.

The outlook for the future is pessimistic: only 38 per cent expect to lighten their burden in the coming years, while 81 per cent fear they will become a burden on their loved ones when they become dependent.

A role to be recognised

As Sophie Boissard, Ceo of Clariane, points out, 'behind every issue there is a story of solidarity and family bonding. Supporting caregivers also means taking better care of frail people'.

In Italy, where the over-65s number 14.5 million (24.7% of the population), caregiving is no longer a private matter but a social issue. 'Families are the first guardians of care,' recalls Federico Guidoni, president and CEO of Korian Italia, 'but we need institutional recognition and effective support policies for those who take care of their loved ones every day.