This paper explores the dominant issues in intergenerational ties in Arab countries with a view to
highlighting patterns, trends and challenges as well as policy implications. The data were drawn from a review
of scholarly work and published literature in Arab countries and from a regional mapping of ageing policies and
programmes in 2012. Social and health ageing policies in the region have been set with the premise that the family
represents the core safety net for older Arabs. Yet demographic, sociocultural and economic transitions, as well as political conflict in the Arab world, are bringing profound changes to familial structures. This review feeds
into efforts to promote health and social reforms that approach intergenerational solidarity from several fronts: providing equitable old-age income security, fostering cross-generational interactions, embracing caregivers and home-based care, promoting age-responsive actions in emergencies and conflicts, and prioritizing context- and country-specific research on the levels, types and trends in intergenerational and familial support.