STI: Encouraging motherhood

Mar 13, 2004

Encouraging motherhood

All countries in western Europe provide cash benefits, tax breaks and other incentives to defray the cost of bringing up children. Parents are also allowed various kinds of leave with great flexibility in how they are structured

MATERNITY/PATERNITY LEAVE

Paid maternity leave is a given in western European countries. Sometimes, no distinction is made between birth and adoption.

In most countries, fathers get paid leave too.

The amount given ranges from 100 per cent of pay to a daily rate. Sometimes, a ceiling rate is imposed.

Time off varies, starting at three months. Nordic nations are the most generous. Sweden allows parents 13 months off per child, at 80 per cent pay, and another three months at a nominal rate. Denmark gives full pay for 12 months.

Often, a minimum period is reserved for the mother or father, and parents can share the rest of the leave.

Leave can at times be spread out. In Sweden and Denmark, it can be consumed any time before the child is eight years old.

Some Europeans get more paid leave for multiple births or medical complications.

In France, mothers get 16 weeks' maternity leave for the first and second child, 26 for subsequent offspring, 34 for twins and 46 for multiple births.

ADDITIONAL LEAVE

About half of the European Union countries allow parents unpaid leave, beyond maternity and paternity leave, to care for their children.

In the remaining countries, some benefits are also given to parents who have to take care of children.

The extra time off ranges from three to 36 months.

Some countries allow people to consume such leave at intervals, until the child is eight.

BIRTH BENEFITS

Some countries give a flat-rate birth grant.

Many offer free maternity services and birth or child-related medical care.

Parental leave is usually paid on condition that parents have worked a minimum period before birth. But several countries give aid to unemployed parents. In Norway, a lump sum of about 33,200 kroner (S$8,150) was offered last year.

CHILD/CHILDCARE SUPPORT

Monthly stipends for childcare or access to subsidised facilities are available in some places, particularly in northern Europe.

76 per cent of Swedish kids aged one to six years go to state-run centres and parents pay one-fifth the cost.

Some countries give parents money to care for ill or disabled children.

Monthly grants of 100 to 200 euros per child are common. In Germany, this is about 150 euros per child up till the age of 18.

Other financial benefits such as tax breaks, education grant, allowance for single and poor parents, housing aid and unemployment aid are common.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

Flexible working arrangements are getting more common, though not fully utilised. Some examples:

Parents in Norway, Denmark and Sweden are allowed to consume their Cannot distribute vertically parental leave by working part-time over several years.

British parents can ask for flexible hours if their child is aged below six, or take 13 weeks' unpaid leave if the child is under five.

Parents in some countries get paid days off to look after sick or disabled children. In Portugal, it's 30 days per child a year, at 65 per cent pay.

Sources: European Commission, Council of Europe, Eurostat, news reports