Journal of Population Sciences
Country | Universal parenthood/universal safety net | Selective parenthood/means-tested safety net | Universal adult worker/labour market attachment and child’s entitlement to care by both parents | Selective adult worker/strong labour market attachment, focus on women’s work and care |
---|---|---|---|---|
Belgium (federal state level) | Yes All resident mothers (one off payment) | No | No | Yes Maternity entitlement more extensive than paternity (self-employed and unemployed fathers excluded) Parental leave is degendered and available to employees after 12 months |
Germany | Yes Parental leave widely available on lower rate benefit (asylum seekers eligible after 3 years). All resident mothers have access to maternity leave | Yes Resident mothers may apply for benefit if not otherwise eligible | Yes Lower benefit if working for less than 12 months previously to leave | No |
Italy | Yes All resident mothers (one off payment) | Yes Maternity allowance for unemployed women | Yes Earnings and contract related maternity, paternity, parental leave and benefits | No |
Spain | No | Yes Non-contributory means tested family benefits available | Yes Birth leave available to all workers but earnings related benefit has qualifying period | Yes (Unpaid) parental leave only available to employees |
Sweden | Yes All resident parents are eligible to leave and flat rate | No | Yes Available to all workers but earnings related benefit has qualifying period | No |
UK | No | Yes Means tested family benefits available | No | Yes Maternity leave (include transferable maternity leave/shared parental leave), paternity leave, (unpaid parental leave) |