Country
Work Package 1
4) The Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)
A multidisciplinary, cross-national research infrastructure aimed at studying how health, social, economic, and environmental policies affect the aging process over the life course of European citizens and Israel.
Currently covers around 28 European countries plus Israel, with waves including Scandinavia, Central and Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East partner.
Type of Study
An ongoing longitudinal cohort (panel) study, collecting biennial waves since 2004. It uses computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI), self-completion questionnaires, and physical measurements.
Data Collection
Biennial since 2004 (Wave 1 in 2004–05, Wave 2 in 2006–07, up to Wave 10 in 2024–25).
Sample Size
Approximately 140,000 individuals.
Sample Size Characteristics
Respondents are aged 50+, including diverse socio-economic, national, and cultural backgrounds.
Measurement of Mental Health
- Depression scales (Euro-D & CES-D).
- Life satisfaction (Single-item global life satisfaction).
- Quality of life (CASP-12).
Cohort Profile Available
Yes: Börsch-Supan A et al. SHARE Central Coordination Team. Data Resource Profile: the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Int J Epidemiol, Volume 42, Issue 4, 992-1001, Aug 2013, DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyt088.
Additionally, the Scottish SHARE Mental Health (SHARE-MH) cohort profile, provides further details on mental health: et al. Cohort profile: The Scottish SHARE Mental Health (SHARE-MH) cohort – linkable survey, genetic and routinely collected data for mental health research.
Key Publications
- de Maio Nascimento M et al. Longitudinal cross-lagged analysis of depression, loneliness, and quality of life in 12 European countries. BMC Public Health, Volume 24, 1986, 2024, DOI:10.1186/s12889-024-19463-0.
- Mosconi G et al. Transition to retirement impact on risk of depression and suicidality: results from a longitudinal analysis of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci, Volume 32, May 2023, DOI:10.1017/S2045796023000239.
- C. Portellano-Ortiz, J et al. Depression and variables associated with quality of life in people over 65 in Spain and Europe. Data from SHARE 2013. The European Journal of Psychiatry, Volume 32, Issue 3, 122-131, July-September 2018, DOI:10.1016/j.ejpsy.2017.11.002.
Open Access
All SHARE data are available in an open access regime for scientific purposes.
Contact For Collaboration and Possible Access
Data requests managed by SHARE-ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium) through the SHARE Research Data Center.