| ISSN: | 1640-1808 |
RESEARCH PAPER
Large Families in the EU Countries: A Comparison of Support Schemes and Outcomes
1
, Lithuania
Submission date: 2024-11-27
Final revision date: 2025-04-17
Acceptance date: 2025-06-02
Online publication date: 2025-06-27
Publication date: 2025-06-27
Corresponding author
Kristina Senkuviene
Institute of Sociology, Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, A. Goštauto st. 9, LT-01108, Vilnius, Lithuania
Institute of Sociology, Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, A. Goštauto st. 9, LT-01108, Vilnius, Lithuania
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
welfare regimes and social policy modelsfamily policysocial allowances and benefitswork-life balance
ABSTRACT
While knowledge about family policy in the European Union (EU) has increased considerably in the last two decades, we know relatively little about policies directed at large families. This paper aims to compare family support schemes affecting large families in the EU countries. Based on welfare regimes and family support models (Esping-Andersen, 1990; Korpi, 2000; Kuronen 2010), we categorize the selected EU countries into five groups, and we explore what configuration of support measures is most effective in meeting the needs of large families, and what are the outcomes of family policy in each country and group of countries.
Our analysis is based on previous literature review, and MISSOC and Eurostat data.
The findings show that the needs of large families are most effectively met (as evidenced by high rates of third and higher order births, high total fertility rates and relatively low rates of poverty and social exclusion), first, in the Nordic countries, second, in Continental countries, and third, in the examined post-socialist countries.
The support for large families is still dependent on the overall design (support to families with children) and generosity (monetary inputs) of the family policy of the given country, and the differences between countries can still be explained by the ideal-typical family policy model prevailing in the country.
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| ISSN: | 1640-1808 |
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