The findings also highlight the strength of intergenerational relationships in India. Seventy-six per cent of children want to spend more time with their grandparents, the highest percentage globally. Meanwhile, 85% of parents say they spend time with their own parents at least once a week, while 65% do so every day. Both figures are the highest among all countries surveyed. Despite this emphasis on family connections, however, only 22% of Indian children say they are satisfied with the amount of quality time they spend with their families, the lowest percentage globally.
The findings come from the world's first global intergenerational study of family bonding, which surveyed children, parents, Gen Z and grandparents. The study also introduces the world's first Family Bonding Index, which assigns countries a score based on the strength of their family connections.
Family First is a global movement launched by the Varkey Foundation to strengthen intergenerational relationships among children, parents and grandparents, with the aim of building stronger communities across generations.
Launched by Sunny Varkey, founder of GEMS Education, the movement 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 based on the belief that education extends beyond academic achievement, shaping values and developing not only students but also future parents, future leaders and stronger societies.
Sunny Varkey, Founder of Family First and the Varkey Foundation, said, “This landmark report clearly show 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.”
Family Remains Central Across Generations
The survey indicates that family life continues to play a central role in the daily routines of Indian households, with family meals and time spent together remaining important features of intergenerational relationships.
Eighty-one per cent of parents say that during a typical family meal, “everyone is talking together”, the second-highest percentage among the countries surveyed, behind France at 84%.
Seventy-nine per cent of grandparents say they often spend meaningful time with their families, ranking third globally after Argentina at 83% and Brazil at 80%. Furthermore, 41% of grandparents report that their families typically spend 11 hours or more each week enjoying quality time together, the highest percentage among all countries surveyed.
Grandparents also remain closely integrated into family households. Seventy-six per cent live with their families, the second-highest percentage globally after Malaysia at 78%. In addition, 65% say they see their grandchildren in person every day, ranking second after Malaysia at 68%.
The importance of these relationships is also reflected in grandparents' reported well-being. Seventy per cent say spending more time with their grandchildren would make a significant difference to their happiness, the highest percentage among all countries surveyed.
Busy Schedules and Competing Demands Put Family Time Under Pressure
Despite the strong emphasis on family connections, the survey points to competing responsibilities and demanding schedules as major obstacles to spending quality time together.
Twenty-nine per cent of children say their parents are too busy to spend time with them, the highest percentage among all countries surveyed.
Academic responsibilities are another significant barrier. Forty-three per cent of children say homework or studying most often prevents them from spending more time bonding with their families, the joint second-highest percentage globally after Kenya.
School commitments and extracurricular activities also affect family relationships. Twenty-three per cent of children say school, activities or expectations take time away from family life “a lot” or “all the time”, the second-highest percentage among all countries surveyed after the UAE at 27%.
Parents and grandparents similarly identify children's schedules as a major challenge. Forty-four per cent of parents and 54% of grandparents say children's schedules most often prevent them from spending more time bonding as a family. Both figures are the highest among all countries surveyed for their respective measures.
Nevertheless, many families continue to make time for one another despite their competing commitments. Sixty per cent of children say their families often make time for each other despite busy schedules, the second-highest percentage globally after Nigeria at 81%.
Digital Screens Emerge as a Major Concern for Family Bonding
Digital devices and screen time have emerged as another significant source of concern among Indian families, with parents, grandparents and children reporting their effects on opportunities for meaningful interaction.
Seventy per cent of parents say screen time and digital devices have harmed their family's opportunities to bond, the second-highest percentage among all countries surveyed after Brazil at 74%.
Among grandparents, 60% share the same concern, placing India fourth globally after Brazil and Malaysia, both at 71%, and the UAE at 66%.
Children also identify screen use as an obstacle to family bonding. Forty-five per cent say screen time most often prevents them from spending more time with their families, the third-highest percentage among all countries surveyed after Sweden at 51% and Malaysia at 50%.
Meanwhile, 47% of children believe screens have done more harm than good to their family life, the third-highest percentage globally after the UAE at 52% and Sweden at 49%.
The concerns extend to how children are raised. Seventy-four per cent of grandparents believe children today are being raised more by screens than by their families, the third-highest percentage among all countries surveyed.
Children Feel Supported, but Pressures Remain High
Despite the challenges associated with busy schedules and digital devices, the findings indicate that many Indian children feel emotionally supported by their parents.
Fifty-nine per cent of children say their parent or parents always notice when they are upset or struggling. This is the joint-highest percentage among all countries surveyed, alongside Nigeria.
Parents also report substantial involvement in their children's education. Twenty-nine per cent say they help their children with homework for more than seven hours a week, the second-highest percentage globally after Nigeria at 30%.
Indian Families Report Positive Support From Wider Systems
The survey also found that Indian families are relatively positive about the support they receive from wider societal systems, including workplaces, schools and technology.
Eighty per cent of parents say these systems support family life, the second-highest percentage among all countries surveyed after Nigeria at 81%. Among grandparents, the figure rises to 82%, the highest percentage globally.
Government policies addressing children's screen use and online safety are also identified as potential ways to improve family life. Thirty-eight per cent of parents and 37% of grandparents say government policies providing stronger guidance or limits on children's screen use and online safety would help their families spend more quality time together. Both figures are the highest among all countries surveyed for their respective groups.
The Family First Global Survey 2026 highlights the contrast between the importance Indian families place on intergenerational relationships and the practical challenges they face in maintaining them. While many families report close connections, regular contact and strong emotional support, the low proportion of children satisfied with their quality family time underscores the gap between valuing family life and finding sufficient time to experience it.
The full Family First Global Survey 2026 is available at www.varkeyfoundation.org/family-first.
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