FAMILIES
Key findings
Do social support policies allow women to combine parenting and employment?
Family policy scores are weighted composites. A qualitative policy assessment [ 
] contributes one-half of this weighting, with five quantitative measures [ 
] each contributing an additional one-tenth.
Scores and methodology
] contributes one-half of this weighting, with five quantitative measures [ ] each contributing an additional one-tenth. Scores and methodology
FamiliesKey findings: Family policy
Each 
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.
Click country name in list or text for details.
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.Click country name in list or text for details.
Score distribution
9.5
1
8.6
2
8.5
3
8.5
7.9
5
7.9
7.4
7
7.3
8
7.2
9
Countries in the top group dedicate considerable resources to establishing gender equity in the home and workplace, often through subsidized child care, family support payments, and parental leave.
The Nordic countries in particular (Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland) actively promote labor market participation by women, and the sharing of family duties. Excellent day care is provided, and both parents receive parental leave.
Franceoffers generous family support, with tax credits and good childcare facilities. New Zealand and Belgium offer a range of similar financial support measures.
In the Netherlands, employers often subsidize child care costs.
The Nordic countries in particular (Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland) actively promote labor market participation by women, and the sharing of family duties. Excellent day care is provided, and both parents receive parental leave.
Franceoffers generous family support, with tax credits and good childcare facilities. New Zealand and Belgium offer a range of similar financial support measures.
In the Netherlands, employers often subsidize child care costs.
6.2
10
6.1
11
6.1
6.0
13
5.8
14
5.8
5.5
16
5.5
Traditional family roles have proved tenacious throughout much of this group. Where adherence to gender equality is strong, a lack of day care can make it difficult for both parents to work.
A number of these countries offer relatively generous family support payments and parental leave programs (Canada, UK, Germany). However, a lack of affordable day care is a common problem (Canada, Ireland, Germany, Luxembourg).
The influence of traditional family roles can be seen in several states' recent or current policies (Australia, Austria, Luxembourg, Germany).
The Czech Republic has kept up high levels of employment for women, and child care services, but comprehensive family support policies are relatively new.
A number of these countries offer relatively generous family support payments and parental leave programs (Canada, UK, Germany). However, a lack of affordable day care is a common problem (Canada, Ireland, Germany, Luxembourg).
The influence of traditional family roles can be seen in several states' recent or current policies (Australia, Austria, Luxembourg, Germany).
The Czech Republic has kept up high levels of employment for women, and child care services, but comprehensive family support policies are relatively new.
4.9
18
4.8
19
4.3
20
4.3
4.0
22
3.9
23
3.7
24
3.6
25
3.2
26
3.0
27
3.0
3.0
2.3
30
In this latter group of countries, family policies have often lacked a focus on enabling women's employment. Cultural pressures reinforcing traditional gender roles are common.
The United States spends relatively little on family support, although employment rates for women are relatively high.
Traditional family roles remain strong in a number of nations (Hungary, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Poland, Turkey, Greece), often reinforced by policy incentives.
In several nations, wealthy or middle-class women commonly work, while poorer women more typically stay home with children (Italy, Mexico). Generous maternal leave policies in Hungary and Slovakia have encouraged many women to stay home.
Portugal shows relatively high employment levels for women despite underdeveloped support policies.
The United States spends relatively little on family support, although employment rates for women are relatively high.
Traditional family roles remain strong in a number of nations (Hungary, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Poland, Turkey, Greece), often reinforced by policy incentives.
In several nations, wealthy or middle-class women commonly work, while poorer women more typically stay home with children (Italy, Mexico). Generous maternal leave policies in Hungary and Slovakia have encouraged many women to stay home.
Portugal shows relatively high employment levels for women despite underdeveloped support policies.
Rationale
Family policy, blending economic and social programs, ideally maximizes opportunities for both parents. A robust system of family support should enable women to determine if and when they will become full-time mothers or take up full- or part-time employment.
Performance comparison
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