Fertility rates have been declining across Europe, with many countries concerned about the long-term consequences of ageing populations. One major factor contributing to this decline is the postponement of childbearing. Although delaying childbirth is not necessarily negative, as families may still reach the same total fertility, there is also a clear trend of reduced family size, especially in Finland, Germany, and the UK. Education plays a key role in this shift, as highly educated women often delay motherhood longer than those with lower education levels. Against this backdrop, governments have sought to implement family policies aimed at reducing the costs associated with raising children, hoping to encourage higher birth rates.
A study by Sehar Ezdi, Elina Kilpi-Jakonen, Heta Pöyliö, and Jani Erola (University of Turku) explores how these family policies impact childbearing in Finland, Germany, and the UK. The researchers examined various family policies, including the length of maternity, paternity, and parental leaves, income replacement during these leaves, monthly child allowances, and tax benefits for families. Their aim was to assess how these policies influenced transitions to first and second births, and whether the effects differed by women’s education levels. Using data from 1995 to 2015, the study provides insights into how different family policies shape fertility decisions across these diverse welfare state models.
The results indicate that family policies have diverse effects depending on the country and the educational background of women. For instance, in Finland, longer paternity leave encouraged higher birth rates among highly educated women, while lower-educated women were more influenced by financial incentives like child allowances. In Germany, shorter maternity leave periods increased birth rates among highly educated women, while in the UK, longer maternity leave led to greater fertility for all education levels.
The study underscores the complexity of family policies, revealing that their effectiveness varies by context. While policies like paternity leave may boost fertility among highly educated women, financial support may be more impactful for women with lower education levels. Ultimately, the research suggests that policymakers should adopt more tailored strategies to address fertility declines and population ageing in Europe.