report evolution on the family in europe 2009

Statements like this are a clear example of the increasing sensitivity and concern of EU institutions, for the family. The socio – economic difficulties and challenges, especially the economic and demographic ones of recent decades are causing a rediscovery of the family, as well as the social function it fulfils which are essential for individuals and for society.

But this is not enough. The problems of the European family have been increasing in recent years, to the point of creating a desolate panorama. Europe is plunged in an unprecedented demographic winter and has become an elderly continent, with a large birth deficit, fewer marriages and more of them broken, homes emptying.

This is causing tangible effects, both economically and socially. Economically, there is an increase in public expenditure on account of the ageing population, on pensions and health costs. Added to the effects of the collapse of public revenues by the birth deficit, this expenditure may lead to the reduction / elimination of social benefits and finally the bankruptcy of the welfare state.

As to the non –economic effects, a society is forcefully emerging, broken by family collapse, with households ever more empty, with increasing individualism and loss of the values and norms that enable social cohesion.

[1] EU Commission communication “Dealing with the effect of ageing on the population of the European Union” (COM 2009 18/04)

“...demographic revival requires the development of a climate in society open tofamily needs and receptive to motherhood, and the creation

of conditions for a better balance between work and family life.” [1]

In this context and in response to this situation we endorse the proposals from the European Parliament: "The future EU strategy must recognize the important role of family as a key social institution for the survival, protection and development of the child”[2] and the proposal from the European Commission to "encourage member countries to incorporate the family dimension in their economic and social policies" [3].

Indeed, the family should benefit from the greatest protection possible in order to facilitate effectively fulfilling its role. Hence, society, and also particular public authorities, based on the conviction that the good of the family is an essential and indispensable value of the civil community, need to have the political disposition to protect the family with political measures, economic measures, social measures, legal measures, etc. This will thereby help to strengthen the unity and stability of families, enabling them to fulfil their specific roles.

It is therefore necessary to reorient the family policies which are developing the various administrations of the EU States, that they may also focus on the family as a social group, in order to facilitate the fulfilment of its tasks. A family policy that specifically addresses the family group as an emotional, educational, economic and social means, should not legislate solely in terms of individuals but in terms of people living in a family. A family policy limited exclusively to sectoral policies, or limited to comprehensive plans for family members as individuals will always be incomplete.

[2] Report "Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child" (A6-0520/2007). (P. 24) [3] “Commission Opinion on The family and demographic change“ (SOC 245 - EESC 55/2007)

In view of this, the Institute for Family Policy (IPF) has prepared this in-depth study on the evolution of the family in Europe, which it presentsannually in the European Parliament.

This report has been drawn up by a multi-disciplinary team of experts in the fields of demography, psychology, medicine, and combiningprofessional and family life, etc., which sets out and analyses the mostsignificant areas, based on information provided by various internationalorganisations.

As a result of this analysis, the Institute for Family Policies (IPF)proposes a set of social, economic and cultural measures, among others, that it considers vital for the gradual implementation in European policy ofa genuinely “family-oriented” approach.

Eduardo Hertfelder de AldecoaPresident of the International Federation

Institute of Family Policies (IPF)November 2009

Europe (EU-27) has reached 500 million people…

457,0462,6

468,9475,5

480,3484,5

492,9500,5

425

450

475

500

1980 1984 1989 1994 1998 2002 2006 2009

UE27 Population (1 January)

Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from EUROSAT and National data

The 27 EU nations reached 500 million(500,482,231)because of an increase of over 3.2 million people during 2008-2009.

…of which 400 million are from theEU15 countries

EU15 Population 397.118.120 inhabitants

(79%)

EU enlarged population103.364.111 inhabitants

(21%)

EU15 Population

EU enlarged population

While the largest 15 EU contries number 397,000,000, thepopulation of the enlargement countries has reached 103 million.

In 29 years since 1980, the EU population grew by nearly 43.4 million people, representing growth of9.5% (0.33% anually).

In the 10 years since 1999, the population increased19.4 million: an increased of 3.8%.

…growth has been slow…

1st January 2009

Milli

o ns

ofin

hab i

tant

s

Source: Institute for Family Policies(IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data

Germany’s 82 million citizens, make it the most populatedcountry in the EU-27…Germany’s 82 million citizens make it the mostpopulated contry in the EU, accounting for 16.4% ofthe European total. France follows with 64 million, theUnited Kingdom has 61 million, and Italy 60 million.

These 4 nations alone have 267,800,000 inhabitants, representing 53.5% of the total EU population.

82.062.249

64.105.12561.612.255 60.090.430

30.000.000

50.000.000

70.000.000

90.000.000

Germany France

United Kingdom Italy

1.340.341

801.622

491.702412.614

0

300.000

600.000

900.000

1.200.000

1.500.000

Estonia Cyprus

Luxembourg Malta…while Malta with 412,614 has thesmallest population in the EU.Malta with 412,614 has the smallest population in theEU-27. Next smallest is Luxembourg (491,702), thenCyprus (801,622) and Estonia (1,340,341)

Num

ber o

f in h

abita

nts

Num

ber o

f in h

abita

nts

Source: Institute for FamilyPolicies (IPF) drawn fromEUROSTAT data

Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data

The 15 pre-accession countries contributed98% of the total population increase: 42.5 million between 1980-2009…France (10,3 million), Spain (9,4 million), UK (5,3 million), Germany (3,8 million) and Italy (3,7 million) are the EU contrieswith the greatest population growth, contributing 75% of the total increase.

…on the other hand the countries that haveenlarged the EU since 2004 have hadstagnant population since 1980 (growing by 800,000).Poland has grown by 2.8 million, and to a lesser extent Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic and Malta, but the restof the 12 EU 2004-07 accession countries (Lithuania,Latvia, Estonia, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria) experienced a population fall during 1980 - 2009.

Their 103.3 million inhabitants represent one fifth of the EU-27..

42.549.742(98%)

872.413(2%)

EU15 Population growth

Enlarged EU population growth (1980-2009)

…in particular, France (103 million) and Spain (9.4 million) constitute 45% of the EU-27 population growth.

The population increase is due almost entirely to the EU-15 countries, theyaccount for the 98% of the total growth…

Population growth(1980-2009)


0,4210,283 0,314 0,420

0,3420,550 0,601

0,643

0,633 0,658

1,6121,846

1,846

1,146

0,555

1,401

0

1

2

1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008

EU27 Increase trough InmigrationEU27 Natural Increase

Immigration is the basis of population increase in the 27 countries……8 of every 10 new people were immigrants

…and which has continued in 2008, with an increase of 69%.Likewise, 69% of the EU-27 population growth in 2008 (1.4 million inhabitants) was due toimmigration.

78% of EU population growthbetween 1999-2008 is the result ofimmigration…

Between 1999 and 2008, the population increasedby 20.5 million. 15,900,000 of these wereimmigrants.

Natural increase is 12 times lower than even the USA.

Milli

o ns

ofin

hab i

tant

s


Milli

o ns

ofin

habi

tant

s

Poland, Romania and Bulgaria are losing citizens by emigration.

Lithuania, Latvia, Romania andBulgaria have falling populations andlow immigration.-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Fran

ceUn

ited

King

dom

Spain

Holla

ndIre

land

Belgi

umFi

nland

Denm

ark

Swed

enPo

rtuga

lPo

land

Cypr

usAu

stria

Luxe

mbo

urg

Greec

eSl

ovak

iaM

alta

Slov

enia

Esto

niaCz

ech

Repu

blic

Lithu

ania

Latvi

aIta

lyHu

ngar

yRo

mania

Bulga

riaGer

man

y

InmigrationNatural growth

Growth by origin (1999-2008)

Only France, Holland, Finland and Slovakia have internal rates of increasehigher than their immigration figures.

Italy had a fall in its native population(-0,14 million) but 23 times more immigrants (+3,28 million).

Germany, likewise with immigration(1,19 million) its natural decrease (-1,22 million).

Spain has immigration 9 times greaterthan its internal birth increase.

In 8 of 10 countries in the EU with growing populations, the basis of this isimmigration.


The immigrant population has almost doubled in the past 10 years, from 14.9 million in 1999 to nearly 29 million in 2007, representing growth of 94%.

28.913.543

14.900.541

10.000.000

15.000.000

20.000.000

25.000.000

30.000.000

1997 2007

EU27 Immigrant Population

94%

...representing 5.8% of thepopulation of Europe…The 28,913,543 immigrants account for 5.8% of thetotal population of the EU27.

466.214.986 (94,2%)

28.913.543 (5,8%)

EU27 Rest of the populationEU27 Immigrant Population

The immigrant population has reached 29 million...

Nº I

mm

i gra

nts

2007



…and it has nearly doubled (94%) in the last 10 years (1999-2007).

These four countries alone (Germany, Spain, France & the UK) have 66% of the total of immigrants in the EU.

7.255.949

4.606.474

3.510.000 3.425.000

0

2.000.000

4.000.000

6.000.000

8.000.000

2007

Germany

Spain

France

United Kingdom

NºI

nmi g

rant

s

...And Spain is the country whichhas grown the most…Immigration has grown the most in Spain over the last 10 years, from barely 538,900 in 1997 to over 4.6 million in 2007: a growth of the 754%

Germany (7.2 million) and Spain (4.6 million) are the EU countries with thehightest number of immigrants..

…representing 10.2% of its present population.

…Followed by France (3.5 million) and the UK (3.4 million)…

% Im

mig

ratio

ngr

owth



755%

295%232%

158%

0%

200%

400%

600%

800%

1997-2007 period

Spain Ireland Italy Cyprus

Europe is growing older:

15,6 %

14 ,7%

13 ,7%

17,0 %

16 ,4 %

15,7%

16 ,4 %

17,3 %

18 ,4 %

19 ,5%

13%

15%

17%

19%

1990 1995 2000 2004 2008

Over 65s (EU25)

Under 14s (EU25)

There are already 6.5 million more aged over 65 (85 million) than those under 14 (78.5 million).

In the past 15 years (1993-2008) wehave lost 10.5 million youngpeople…The EU under – 14 population has fallen from 89 million in 1993 to just 78.4 million in 2008.

…there is an increase of 16.5 millionelderly people.Over – 65s have risen from 68.3 million in 1993 to84.9 million in 2008: an increase of 16.5 millionelderly people.

There are now 22 million over- 80s, representing 4.4% of the EU population.

% T

o tal

Po p

ulat

ion

The population over 65 years already exceeds tothe population under 14 years.


13,4%

13,70%13,80%

13,9%

13,0%

13,3%

13,6%

13,9%

2008

Bulgaria

Germany

Lithuania

Slovenia

Of the EU-27, Bulgaria (13,4%) and Germany (13,7%) have the lowestpercentage of young people: only 1 in 8

Bulgaria (13,4%), Germany (13,7%), Latvia (13,8%), Slovenia (13,9%) and Italy (14,1%) are the EU-27 countries with the lowest percentage ofyoung people. In these countries, only 1 out every 8 inhabitants isunder 14.

% o

fto t

al p

o pu l

atio

n

18,40%

20,6%

18,50% 18,2%

15,0%

17,5%

20,0%

22,5%

2008

Ireland France

Denmark Luxerbourg… by contrast, Ireland has thehigher percentage of young in theUE-27: one in every five people.

Besides Ireland (20,6%), France (18,5%), Denmark(18,4%) and Luxembourg (18,2%) are the EU-27 countries with the highest percentage of young. In thesecountries, 1 in 5 people are under 14.

% o

fto t

al p

o pu l

atio

n



Italy and Germany are the countries with the largest elderly populations: 1 in 5 people is over 65.

20,1% 20,1%

18,70%

17,50%

17%

19%

21%

2008

Italy Germany

Greece Sweden

% o

fto t

al p

o pu l

atio

n

Italy and Germany (20,1%), Greece (18,7%), Sweden (17,5%) and Portugal (17,4%) are the EU-27 countries with the largest elderly populations. In these countries, 1 in 5 people is over 65.

Portugal, followed by Spain, is ageing faster in theEU-27: its over -65 percentage has grown from11.2% in 1980 to 17.4% in 2008.

10,9%

12,00%

12,50%

13,5%

10%

12%

14%

2008

Ireland Slovakia

Ciprus PolandOn the other hand, the EU country with the lowest proportion of elderlyis Ireland: 1 in almost 10.Ireland (10,9%), Slovakia (12,0%), Cyprus (12,5%) andPoland (13,5%) are the EU-27 countries with the lowestproportion of elderly. In these countries, 1 in 10 people are over 65 years.

% o

fto t

al p

o pu l

atio

n



The birth deficit, and the increase in elderly, have caused the average EU-27 citizen’s age to increase…

37,3

37,7

38,1

38,5

38,9

39,4

39,7

40,3

37

38

39

40

4119

93

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2008

Ave

r ag e

ag e

ofE

U2 7

inha

bita

nts

The birth deficit, and the increase in elderly, have caused the average EU citizen’s age to increase from 37.3 in 1993, to 40.3 in 2008.

…it has reached 40.3 years…

…and this is likely to rise further in the years to come.


… with an increase of 3 years in the last 15 years..The average age in the EU27 has increased from 37.3 in 1993 to 40.3 in 2008, meaning an increment of 3 years in the last 15 years.

…the EU15 countries have a slightly higher average age (4 moths more) than for allEU27.

35,137,0

37,538,338,3

38,639,039,139,239,239,2

39,539,739,940,040,140,240,2

40,440,540,540,540,6

41,141,3

42,442,5

40,7

40,3

33 35 37 39 41 43

Ireland

Ciprus

Slovakia

Luxemburg

Poland

Romania

Lithuania

M alta

Holand

France

United Kingdom

Denmark

Estonia

Rep.Checa

Latvia

Hungary

Belgium

Spain

UE27

Finland

Sweden

Portugal

Austria

Slovenia

UE15

Bulgaria

Greece

Germany

Italy

Italy and Germany have the highest average age 42.5…

…By contrast, Ireland is theyoungest country with lowestaverage 35.1…After Ireland, Cyprus (37) and Slovakia (35.1) have the lowest average age.

EU27 Population average age (2008)

Italy (42.5), Germany (42.4), Greece (41.3) andBulgaria (41.1) are the EU27 countries with anaverage age above European media of 41 years.


The pyramid of age / population is being inverted…

EU-25 1980

-4 ,0 %4 ,0 %

… causing an unprecedented demographic winter

EU-27 2008

Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT dataSource: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data

If this continues…

… by 2050…

… the consequences of the unprecedenteddemographic winter…

…will be catastrophic…

By 2050, the European population (EU27) will have fallen by 27.3 million inhabitants...

472.050.235

486.991.917

494.784.171496.408.451

499.389.380

470.000.000

485.000.000

500.000.000

2010 2020 2030 2040 2050

Population forecast EU-27

-4.208.825

-7.502.494 -7.308.135

-4.427.133

-8.500.000

-6.500.000

-4.500.000

-2.500.000

-500.000Variacion 2010-2050

GermanyItalyPolandRomania

…Germany will suffer the largestfall in population.The EU-27 countries with the largest falls in population will be: Germany (7.5 million), Italy (7.3 million), Poland (4.4 million) and Romania (4.2 million)

In 2010 the EU27 population will begin to fall from 499 million to 472 million in 2050 representing a decrease of 27.3 million inhabitants.

…descending to 472 millioninhabitants…

Num

b er

ofin

hab i

tnat

s



Num

b er

ofin

hab i

tnat

s

20,60%

24,50%

13,7%

15,6%

17,0%

28,10%

29,90%

19,5%

17,3%

15,7%14,80%

14,00%13,40%13,40%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

1990 2000 2008 2020 2030 2040 2050

Over 65s(EU27)

Under 15s (EU27)

% E

U p

o pul

atio

nov

er65

an d

unde

r14

…only 1 in 8 people will be under 15

Only 1 in 8 people will be under 15 (13.4% of thepopulation of the 27 countries, or less than 60 million.

Spain and Bulgaria will be the two countries with thesmallest ratios of under -15s: 1 in 10 people.

One in 3 inhabitants will be over 65 years…The European population over 65 will reach 135 million people, accounting for 29.9% of the population.

The EU countries with the largest proportions ofelderly will be Spain (35.7%) and Italy (35.5%)

…The pyramid of age/ population will be completely inverted…The pyramid of age/ population will be completely inverted, as the over–65s become the base.

,0 ,2 ,4 ,6 ,8,0,2,4,6,8

EU-27 2050

…By 2060, the average EU agewill be 46.7.


In 2008, 774.000 fewer babies were born in theEU27 than in 1982, which represents a decrease of12.5%.

Between 1990 and 1995 there was a dramaticdecrease in the number of children born, the figure falling by 691.562 in the EU27.

… there has been a slight increaseduring the last three years (2005-2008)Mientras en el periodo 1995-2005 los nacimientos permanecieron estancados, en los últimos 3 años (2005-2008) se han incrementado en más de 252.000 nacimientos.

During 2007 – 2008, there was an increase of 145,000 births.

…although the population increased by 37 million during 1982-2008…

5.13 2 .0 0 05.130.900 5.122.949

5.384.190

6.159.013

5.936.592 5.822.462

5.000.000

5.500.000

6.000.000

1982 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2008

Birth rate (EU27)

Num

ber o

f Bi rt

hs

In 2007 the figure barely reached5.3 million births…

There are 774.000 fewer babies born annually than 26 years ago...


2,01

1,47

1,281,32

1,38

1,91

2,1

1,8

1,87

2,05 2,06 2,032,09

1,2

1,5

1,8

2,1

1983 1987 1993 1997 2001 2007

EU-27

Renewal Level

United States (USA)

The birth rate (1.38) is a very long way off the level required forpopulation renewal (2.1) …In 2007 the EU27 birth rate was 1.38 children/female, which far below the PopulationRenewal (2.1 children/femaile).

…Which indicates a very low birth rate (1,38) in Europe (EU27)…B

irth

Rat

e

...Far below the expectations of European citizens (2.3 children)… (*)

… and the USA birth rate (2.09)… and the USA birth rate (2.09) which is almost at the level of population renewal.

… with a sligth increment due toimmigrationIn the period 1997-2007, and due to the explosion of immigration (doubled), there has been a slight increase of fertility rates of the EU27.

(*) Report of the High Level Group on the future of social policy in an enlarged European Union. (2004).

Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data and national data

...Others are recovering from thebirth crisis…Ireland (2,01), France (1,98), Sweden (1,88), Denmark (1,84) and United Kingdom (1,84) shavethe highest birth rate among the 27 EU countries, recovering from the birth crisis.

…Ireland has the highest EU birthrate.

Birth rates in some countriesare at critical level...

Slovakia (1,25), Romania (1,3), Poland (1,31), Portugal (1,34) and Italy (1,35), etc, barely reach1.3

…Slovakia has the lowest EU birth rate (1.25)…

1,88

2,011,98

1,84

1,75

1,8

1,85

1,9

1,95

2

2,05

.

Ireland France

Sweden Denmark

1,34

1,311,3

1,25

1,2

1,25

1,3

1,35

.Portugal Poland Romania Slovakia

Birt

hR

ate

Birt

hR

ate

2007

2007Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data

Source: Institute for Family Policies(IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data

People start families later in life: at almost 30 (UE25).

Average age at materninty has increased by 2.6 years.

Age at maternity has increased by 2.6 years in the EU25 in recent years, going from 27.1 in 1980 to almost 30 (29.7) in 2007.

Slovenia (4,26), Czech Republic (4,25) andHungary (4,06) are the EU 27 countries whereage at maternity has increased the most over theperiod (1980-2007).

Age

27,1

29,7

28,9

29,3

28,428,2

27,6

27

28

29

30

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2003 2007

Age of mother at birth of firstchild (EU25)

Italy (31.37) is the EU country where women have their first child later in life.At 31.37 on average, Italian women are, along with Spaniards (30.88) and Irish women (30.62), having their first childlatest among the 27 EU countries.


In Europe (EU-27) there is one abortion every 25 seconds…

…there are more than one million, two hundred thousand abortionsa year…In 2007 1.234.312 pregnancies were ended in abortion. Each day, 3.381 children are prevented frombeing born in Europe (EU27): that is, there are 141 abortions every hour.

…Equal to the combinedpopulations of Luxembourg andMalta…Each year in Europe, abortion figures are theequivalent of the populations of Luxembourg andMalta combined, or the entire population of Sloveniaor Cyprus.

Nºo

fAbo

rtion

s

1.608.455

1.353.769

1.232.789 1.234.312

927.977

759.924

867.377 899.623

600.000

1.000.000

1.400.000

1.800.000

1995 2000 2005 2007

European Union 27 (EU27)European Union 15 (EU15)

…1 in every 5 pregnancies (19%) isended by abortion.Of the 6.461.939 pregnancies in 2007 in the EU27, 1.223.015 were ended by abortion, equal 19% ofpregnancies.

1.234.312(19%)

5.238.924(81%)

Births

Abortions

2007


Source: Institute for Family Policies(IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data and national data

…which means that abortion is the main cause of death in Europe.

Acu

mul

ated

num

bero

fabo

rtion

s(E

U27

)Since 1990, there have been 28 million abortions in the EU…

28.022.50025.561.135

2.468.236

11.834.803

19.089.436

0

5.000.000

10.000.000

15.000.000

20.000.000

25.000.000

30.000.000

1990 1995 2000 2005 2007

As many as the population ofMalta, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Estonia, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ireland, Finland andSlovakia.

More than half have occurred in Romania, France and the UnitedKingdom.Romania (7.087.840), France (3.740.496) and United Kingdom (3.522.422) accountedfor 51% of abortions in the EU-27 since 1990.


United Kingdom, France, Romania and Italy are the EU27 countries withthe highest abortion rate…

219.336209.699

150.246

126.562

0

50.000

100.000

150.000

200.000

250.000United KingdomFranceRomania (*)Italy

…Spain is the EU27 country with thegreatest increase in the number ofabortions…Whereas in many EU countries (usually those of the 2004 – 07 enlargement) the number of abortions fell during 1997 – 2007, the Spanish rise was spectacular, from 49,578 in 1997 to 112,138 in 2007 (i.e. 62,000).

The decline in Germany & Italy, and the stagnation in France, is remarkable.

The United Kingdom (219,336 abortions), France (209,699), Romania (150,246), Italy (126,562), Germany (116,871) and Spain (112,138) have the highest annual abortion rates in the EU.

Alone, those 6 countries account for 934,852 abortions: 75.7% of abortions in the 27 EU member states.

Nºo

fA

borti

ons

(200

7)

62.560

27.481

7.9395.917

0

10.000

20.000

30.000

40.000

50.000

60.000

70.000SpainUnited KingdomFranceHoland

Nºo

fAbo

rtion

s

Increment on abortion figures (1997-2007)Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data and national data


48.150

31.779

17.272 15.307 14.989

0

10.000

20.000

30.000

40.000

50.000

60.000

United Kingdom

France

Romania

Spain

Germany

The United Kingdom has thehighest EU teenage abortion rate.United Kingdom (48,150 abortions) is the EU27 country where more teenage girls have abortions.

Followed by France (31,779), Romania (17,272), Spain (15,307) and Germany (14,989).

2007

Nºo

ftee

nage

abor

tions

Every 3 minutes a teenage girl has an abortion in Europe…

The under -20 abortion figures exceed the 2007 figure of 174,789: every day 479 teenage girls aborted in theEU. Which means an abortions took place every 3 minutes.

14%86%

Nº teenage abortions

Rest of abortions

…representing 1 in 7 of allabortions.The nearly 175,000 abortions in 2007, accounting forthe 14.1% of all abortions, representing 1 in 7.

2007

Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawnfrom EUROSTAT data and national data


2.368.951

3.094.093

2.966.412

2.865.662

2.504.093

2.504.6922.402.052

2.000.000

2.300.000

2.600.000

2.900.000

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2008

Number of marriages (EU27)

Over 28 years (1980-2008), the number ofmarriages in the EU27 has decreased by more than 725,142 marriages,

…equivalent a 23,4% ...

There are 1 in 4 fewermarriages than in 1980.…

Dramatic fall in marriage rate in Europe…...725.000 fewer marriages than 1980…

...In spite of a population increase of 42.6 million (1980-2008).

Nºo

fMar

riage

s

...and is causing a criticalmarriage rate (4.87).This has changed a marriage rate of 6.75 in 1980 to a critical one in 2007 (4.87).Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data and national data

0

100.000

200.000

300.000

400.000

500.000

600.000

Germany UK France Italy Poland Spain

Nº of Marriages (1990)

Nº of Marriages (2007)

-4%

-19%

-25%

-28%

-34%

-35%

-36%

-4%

-7%

-16%

-17%

-22%

-23%

-28%

-28%

-28%

-36%

-40%

-44%

-37%

-47%

-49%

-43%

28%

26%

-51%

-46%

-60% -50% -40% -30% -20% -10% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

B ulgaria

R omania

Po land

Lit huania

M alt a

Slovakia

C zech R epub lic

C yprus

Lat via

Hungary

Est onia

Slovenia

D enmark

Sweden

F inland

Ireland

Holland

Sp ain

France

It aly

Germany

Luxembourg

B elg ium

U nit ed King dom

Greece

A ust ria

Po rt ugal

Nºo

fMar

riage

s

Evolution of Marriage rate 1983-2008 ( %)

Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawnfrom EUROSTAT data and national data

Source: Institute for Family Policies(IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data and National data

The marriage rate has fallen in 9 out 10 countries, among the 27 EU countries…

Only Denmark and Sweden increased their marriage rateover the last 25 years since 1983.

..In some countries the fall has been dramatic…E.g. Bulgaria (-51%), Slovenia (-49%) or Estonia(-47%) the fall in marriage rate has been around 50%, for every2 marriges in 1983 there is only 1 now.

…as well as in countries with a large number of marriages.

7.0 2 22 2 .54 4

3 5.9 9 673 .6 2 7

2 0 3 .6 9 718 9 .2 4 0

57.74 057.157 2 9 .4 9 73 6 .576

4 6 .3 2 9 4 0 .8 0 0

2 9 .6 4 0 2 7.8 9 82 7.4 3 7

1.9 6 92 3 .0 6 5

4 5.50 0

2 4 8 .70 22 4 9 .8 4 7

2 6 6 .50 02 70 .0 0 3

3 6 8 .3 2 9

0

50 .0 0 0

10 0 .0 0 0

150 .0 0 0

2 0 0 .0 0 0

2 50 .0 0 0

3 0 0 .0 0 0

3 50 .0 0 0

4 0 0 .0 0 0

Nºo

fMar

riage

s

2007


Germany (368,000), United Kingdom (270,000) and France (266,000) are the countries where there is a higher number of marriages …

…they represented 38% of all marriages in the EU-27 in 2007.

981.992

672.917

805.136

776.291

815.532 877.538

1.030.911

500.000

700.000

900.000

1.100.000

1980 1985 1990 1994 2000 2004 2007

Number of divorces (EU-27)

Num

b er o

f div

o rc e

s

…equivalent to one marital breakdown every 30 secondsThere are over one million divorces…

Marital breakdown has increased by 357,994 in 27 years (1980-2007), an increase of 55%.

Over 10.3 million marital breakdowns in 10 years (1997-2007) in the EU27 that have affected over 17 million children.

In 27 years (1980-2007), the number ofmarriages in the EU27 decreased by 675,075 marriages.

There are 358,000 more divorces than in 1980...

...In spite of the fact that thenumber of marriages enteredinto has decreased over thisperiod.


169.425

187.000

194.408

154.786 144.257154.628

165.555 170.050

134.477

147.214

165.824114.005

23.19133.104

38.973

125.721

10.000

60.000

110.000

160.000

210.000

1990 1995 2000 2007

Germany

UnitedKingdomFrance

Spain

Num

ber o

f div

o rc e

s

In the EU, family breakdown has increased by far the most in Spain in the last ten years: more than tripling from 34,147 divorces in 1997 to125,721 in 2007.

...and Spain is the EU country where family breakdown has increased themost… ...268% in just 10 years (1997-2007)

187.000

144.257134.477

125.721

0

50.000

100.000

150.000

200.000

2007Germany United Kingdom France Spain

Germany, United Kingdom, France and Spain are theEU27 countries with the highest number of divorces.

The number of divorces in these countries is over 591,500 and account for 58% of total.

… 4 countries 58% of divorces



Num

ber o

f div

o rc e

s

877.538815.532776.291805.136

672.917

1.030.911

3.094.093

2.419.0182.504.0932.504.692

2.966.412

2.865.662

500.000

800.000

1.100.000

1.400.000

1.700.000

2.000.000

2.300.000

2.600.000

2.900.000

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2007

Nº Divorces EU-27

Nº Marriages EU-272,42

1,71

6

(rat

io 5

:1)

1,38

8,10

7

(rat

io 2

,4:1

)

In 1980 the difference between marriagesentered into and marriages which brokedown was 2,421,716.

In 2007 the difference is only 1,388,000.

The ratio has gone from almost 5:1 in 1980 ( for every 4.6 marriages entered into, one broke down)… to a ratio of 2:1 in 2007 ( for every 2.3 marriages entered into, onebreaks down).

The difference betweenmarriages entered into andmarital breakdown has been halved…

For each two marriages entered into in Europe, one breaks down…

In 2007 2,400,000 marriages werecelebrated in Europe, and 1 million brokedown, meaning 1 in 2.3 marriages in Europefails.


0,44

0,660,620,62

0,57 0,56 0,55 0,55 0,54 0,54

0,19 0,160,22

0,19

0,430,38

0,28 0,27

0,44

0,53 0,51 0,49 0,49 0,480,45 0,44

0

50.000

100.000

150.000

200.000

250.000

300.000

350.000

400.000Be

lgiu

m

Spai

nHu

ngar

yAu

stria

Luxe

mbo

urg

Bulg

aria

Portu

gal

Czec

h Re

publ

icEs

toni

aUn

ited

King

dom

Germ

any

Lith

uani

aFr

ance

Leto

nia

Finl

and

Slov

akia

Holla

ndSl

oven

iaSw

eden

Denm

ark

Cypr

usPo

land

Gree

ceRo

man

ia

Italy

Irela

nd

0,0

0,1

0,2

0,3

0,4

0,5

0,6

0,7

0,8

0,9

1,0Nº of Marriages (2007)

Nº Marital Breakdown (2007)

Rate of Marital Breakdown (2007)

…and the divorce rate is above the EU27 average in 3 in 4 countries (75%).

UE

27


Belgium, Hungary and Spain are the EU27 countries with the highest rate of marital breakdown: for every three marriages entered into, two end in divorce…

33,4 million (7%)

19,5 million (4%)

230 million (48%)

195 million(41%)

Single Married Divorced Widower

215 million (45%)

26,2 million(5%)

33,5 million(7%) 204 million

(43%)

Single Married Divorced Widower

Married Europeans have declined from 230 million, or (48%) in 1995 to 215 million (45%) in 2007, divorced and unmarried have increased from 19.5 million(4%) and 195 million (41%) in 1995 to 26.2 million (5%) and 204 million (43%) respectively, in 2007.

At 43%, the unmarried population of Europe has almost equalled themarried (45%).

1995 2007


3.094.093

2.419.0182.504.0932.504.692

2.966.412

2.865.662

1.912.6052.050.9692.088.796

2.496.042

2.424.823

2.661.231

1.500.000

1.800.000

2.100.000

2.400.000

2.700.000

3.000.000

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2007

Nº Marriages EU-27

Nº First time marriages

Fewer people are marrying for the first time…

506.413(21%)

1.912.605(79%)

First time marriages Remarriages

…so 1 in 5 marriages is remarriage

8 in 10 marriages (79%) are forthe first time, while in 1980 was86%

In 1980, 86% of those going to the altar in theEU did so for the first time; in 2007 it was only79%. Thus, 1 in 5 marriages is now a remarriage.

…there are 2 million marriages…

2007

Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data, UNECE and national data

Of 5,384,190 births in the EU in 2008, some 1,970,940 children (36.5%) are bornout of wedlock.

One out of every 3 children (36.5 %) is born outside marriage in the EU27..

In some countries, more childrenare born outside marriage thanwithin it.There are more births without marriage than within, in Estonia (59.1%), Slovenia (54.7%), Sweden (54.6%), France (51.3%) and Bulgaria (51.1%).

The highest number of births outside marriage is in France (428,000), followed by the United Kingdom (360,802), representing 40% of the EU total.

…this affects nearly 2 million children every year.

France with 420,000 births, is thecountry with the highest number ofbirths outside marriage.

27,4%

31,9%

36,5%

8,8%

12,6%

18,1%

22,1%

8%

13%

18%

23%

28%

33%

38%

1980 1984 1990 1995 2000 2004 2008

Extramarital births (EU-27)

Por

cent

age

(%)

Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data, UNECE and national data

In barely 25 years (1980-2005), the average size ofhouseholds has decreased by “losing” 1.5 persons.

It has gone from almost 3 persons (2.82) to 2.4 members per household.

The size of European households is decreasing …

...Only 2.4 members per household

Germany (2.1), Denmark (2.1), Finland (2.1), andSweden (2.2) are the countries with the lowestnumber of members per household.

By contrast, Malta (3.2), Cyprus (3.1), Romania(2.9) and Spain (2.9) are the countries with thehighest number of members per household..

Source: In-house from EUROSTAT and European Environment Agency data

1.5 persons per household have been“lost” since 1980.

...And in some countries ithardly reaches 2 members.

2.4

2.82

2.68

2.61

2.4

2.5

2.3

2.8

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

Nº members household

Source: In-house from EUROSTAT andEuropean Environment Agency data

NºM

emb e

rsh o

u se h

o ld

NºM

emb e

rsh o

u se h

o ld

3,23,1

2,9 2,9

2,22,1 2,1 2,1

2

2,25

2,5

2,75

3

3,25

Nº Members Household (2005)

MaltaCyprusRomaniaSpain

SwedenFinlandDenmarkGermany

UE27: 2,4

European households are becoming more solitary...

...1 out of every 4 households in Europe has a single dweller…

27.7% of European households have only 1 person.

…and now more than 55 million Europeans live alone.

Source: In-house drawn from EUROSTAT and European Environment Agency data

14,8%

27,7%

24,9%

28%

4,3%

Single

Single withdependent children

2 adults

2 adultos withdependent children

3 or more adults (withand without children)

Households have fewer children...

…2 out of 3 households have no children…

67% of European householdshave no children and only 33% ofhouseholds have a child/children.

…And only 17% of households have 2 or more children

Of the households with children, 50% of them have only 1 child.

67%

4%

13%

16%

0 children 1 child 2 children + 2 children

Source: In-house drawn from EUROSTAT and European Environment Agency data

Breakdown of social security benefits Selfishness

Empty homes

Increased healthcare costs

Increased statepensions

Some effects of the prevailing situation

3322

11

Broken down societyBreakdown of thewelfare state

Familybreakdown

Aging of the population

Birth deficit

Higher costs

Aging society, with no children, empty homes, broken families and no values

The Charter of Fundamental Rights legitimises European Union involvement in the debate on family policies(article 33) …

…”although it is clear that, for reasons of subsidiarity and efectiveness, the definition and implementation of familypolicies is the competence of Member States”.

The Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee recommends that the European Union…

…”encourage Membe States to include the family area in their economic and social polices”(Opinion on “The family and demographic growtha” (SOC 245 – CESE 55/2007)

Although there is growing awareness of the problems faced by familiesand proposals to incorporate the family perspective in the EU…

The Communication of the European Commission on points that…... “At the Barcelona European Council of 2002, Member States made a clear commitment to increase childcare

facilities, which between here and 2010 should be available for at least 90% of children aged 3-6 and 33% of childrenunder 3. Now the time has come to create these childcare services”. (Page 8).

“The demographic future of Europe: from challenge to opportunity” (COM 2006)

EU Commission Communication states'The strategy which is carried out to improve the situation must include the following points:

• Promote demographic renewal in Europe creating better conditions for families.' ).“Dealing with the effect of the ageing population of the European Union”(COM 2009 180/4), (Page 7

“Future EU strategy must recognize the important role of the family as a key social institution for thesurvival, protection and development of children.”Report 'Towards an EU strategy for children's rights' (Page 24). (A6-0520/2007).

The European Parliament report on the Commission Communication states:

The Communication of the European Commission points out that:“Support policies for Member States of the European Union must have three key points”:

• Compensation for direct and indirect costs associated with the family.

• Parent help services in the form of education and care for young children, care and supervision for olderchildren and, increasingly, services for depedent people in an ageing society..

• Organisation of working and employment conditions and access to services at a local level.

“Promoting solidarity between generations” (COM 2007)

The Report of the European Parliament ask that:

..”States ensure a high level of protection of maternity and fight discrimination against pregnant women in theworkforce”.“Equality between men and women in the EU ” (A6-0290/2007),

The Report of the European Parliament deals“Authorities - national, regional, local must increase their financial contribution for creating / running high

- quality child care services at prices parents can afford'.Report on 'Balance between professional, family and private life'. (A5-0092/2004). (Page 9).

… both the EU Commission and Parliament favour supporting thefamily, maternity and balance between family & working life, as a response to the demographic winter…

“The demographic revival requires the development of a climate in society open to family needs and receptive to motherhood, and the creation of conditions for a better balance between work and family life.

In countries where it is difficult to reconcile work with family, female employment rates tend to be low, mothers often leave the labour market and birth rates are lower because people feel they cannot cope with motherhood

Policies should promote gender reconciliation and equality, entail conditions for better parenting and promote high – quality child care. Such proposals should become a priority’.“Dealing with the effect of ageing on the population of the European Union” (COM 2009 18/04) (page 7)

The EU Commision communication on points out that::

… both the EU Commission and Parliament favour supporting thefamily, maternity and balance between family & working life, as a response to the demographic winter…

This concern for the family should concretize in:

... Appropriate institutions for the Family

... Adequate budgetary provision

... Plans, measures and laws to address andresolve family problems..

All this, at both EU & national level

a) F

amily

Age

ncie

s

Although there are 5 Vice-presidencies and 21 Committeeswithin the European Commission, none of them covers theFamily...

... Family matters being dealt with by the Committee onEmployment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities…

However, there is no organisation which is in charge of Family Policy...

EUROPEAN COMMISSIONPresidency

Committee on Employment, Social Affairsand Equal Opportunities

Committee Team:

- 47 Portafolio Activities- 33 Non-Portfolio activities- 0 Family Activities

...Nor does it have a FamilyObservatory...

The Observatory on Family Policies was created in 1989 and closed in 2004, when it was replaced by the Observatory on Demography and the Social Situation

Of the 126 Green Papers written since 1984, none has been on the Family (*).

...Or a Green Paper on the Family.

(*)Only the Green Paper "Confronting demographic change: a new solidarity between generations" of 2005 reflects indirectly some aspects of the family (birth, youth, etc.

Differing levels of family matters awareness by Governments…

Department of Social andFamily Affairs

Ireland

Department of the Family andSocial Cohesion

Luxemburgo

Ministry of Labour, Family and Equality of Opportunity

Romania

Ministry of Labour,Social, Relations,,Family, Solidarity and

CityFrance

Department of children, schoolsand families

United Kingdom

State Deparment for Family Policies

Belgium

Department of Family, Elderly, Women’s and Youth Affairs

GermanyDepartment of Health, the

Family and YouthAustria

Department of Labour, Familyand Social Affairs

Slovakia

Ministry of Health, Social and FamilyAffairs

Hungary

Ministry of Labour, Familyand Social Affairs

Slovenia

Ministro sin cartera para Juventud y Familia (Adjunto al Ministerio de

Salud, Bienestar y Deporte)Holland

Ministry for Children andFamily Affairs

Latvia

…although half of European nations have a Ministry for the Family.

b) S

ocia

l Sec

urit

yBe

nefi

ts

2.2%

2.3%

2.1%

2.2%

2.1%

1.8%

2.0%

2.2%

2.4%

1996 1998 2000 2003 2006

Family expenditure

Europe allocates less and less money to the family…

The European Union has changed from allocating 2.6% of GDP to family matters in 1996, to just 2.1% in 2006.

Per

cent

age

GD

P

Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data, UNECE and national data(1990-99 UE15, 2000-2004 UE25, 2005-06 UE27)

…the EU has reduced its proportion for social expenditure…

Family aid has not only fallen from 2.3% to 2.1% of GDP in the last 10 years …

8,5%8,5%

8,3% 8,3%

8,2%

8,0%

7,9%

8,1%

8,3%

8,5%

1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006

% Gastos Familia UE sobre G.Sociales

For every 13 euros the European Union spends on social expenditure, only 1 is directed to the family.

In some countries the proportion (of social expenditure) is very small, such as Poland (4.4%) and Italy (4.5%).

Fam

ilyex

pend

iture

as a

pe r

c en t

age

ofto

tal s

o ca l

spen

din g

(%)

...And barely € 1 per day per person (439 € per person / year).

Source: Institute for FamilyPolicies (IPF) drawn fromEUROSTAT data,

Denmark, Luxembourg, Germany, Sweden, Austria and Finland set aside above 3% of GDP for the family, 40% more than the European average (2.1% of GDP).

Denmark (3.7% GDP) and Luxembourg (3.4% GDP) are the EU27 countries that offer mostassistance to families.

…and futhermore with huge differences between countries…

Whilst some countries targetfamilies as a priority for assistance, providing levels far higher than theEuropean average…

Poland sets aside just the 0.8% del GDP for thefamily, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Malta the 1.1%, etc.

From the EU-15, Spain, Portugal and Italy, are thecountries that offer least assitance to families, settingaside just 1.2% of the GDP, which is far below theEuropean average (2.1% GDP).

…other countries do not prioritisefamilies for assistance.

Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data,

Whilst Luxembourg provides more than 2,100 euros / person in family benefits each year, and Denmark €1,300, Romania and Bulgariaspend around €25 per person per year.

Poland, Latvia, Slovakia and Lithuaniaprovide under €100 every year.

Portugal and Spain, are the EU15 countries, which offer the lowest assistance to the family.

The difference betweencountries are significant(from 23€ to 2,158€ euros)…

… this leads to significant “discrimination” in family matters.

…This is creating 1st & 2nd–class countries.

Family social security benefits: value in Euros/person/year (2006)

232751637476

120124136151

192212223231248

317449451

535649

796811

864

9331.353

2.158

865

0 500 1.000 1.500 2.000 2.500

Romania

Bulgaria

Poland

Latvia

Slovakia

Lithuania

Estonia

Malta

Czech Republic

Portugal

Hungary

Spain

Slovenia

Greece

Italy

Cyprus

United Kingdom

Netherlands

Belgium

France

Germany

Austria

Finland

Ireland

Sweden

Denmark

Luxembourg

Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from EUROSTAT data,

Child benefits are the main measure of family support…

In 3 out of 4 member states, they are provided universally.

80% of the first 15 EU member states give them to all families, yet only 2 in 3 of the 2004

& 2007 enlargement countries do so

…with average extended cut-off age of 22 years.

…on average, these are 120 euros/month…

Although the average cut-off age for benefits is17.3, most countries offer extension for childrenwho are studying or unemployed. The average extended cut-off age is 21.9.

Holland, Finland, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Francce and Bulgaria do not offer extended cut-off age for child benefit.

…but with large differences between countries.Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from MISSOC data and national data

The benefit differences are so great it would be worth living in such countries as Luxembourg, Ireland, Austria and Germany…

A family with 2 children without income – related restrictions, would receive 471 euros / month in Luxembourg; in Ireland € 332 / month; in Germany 328; in Austria 293, etc. By contrast, in Latvia the same family would receive 25 euros / month; €29 / month in Poland (with strict income – related restrictions), and €33 / month in Greece

A family with three children, without income – related restrictions, would receive 833 euros / month in Luxembourg, 535 / month in Ireland, 510 / month in Austria, 498 in Germany, etc.

The same family would receive 59 euros each month in Bulgaria, 44 / month in Poland (with strict income – related restrictions in both cases), 43 in Latvia.

Families with 2 children (2008)

Families with 3 children (2008)

The income – related restrictions prevent a great number of families in Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Spain, Poland and Bulgaria receiving those benefits.

A quarter of families in the European Union do not receive child benefit directly

Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from MISSOC data

Source: Institute forFamily Policies (IPF) drawn from MISSOC data

…than in Latvia, Poland or Spain.

… Although there has been no increase in benefits for 1st and 2nd child in one third of European countries (9) this year.

Variation Benefits per Child % 2007-2008

-40%

-20%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Bulga

r iaS l

ova k

iaC ze

ch R

epu b

li cR om

ania

S lov

e nia

Por tu

gal

M a l ta

Spa in

Belg i

u mIre

land

Aus tr

iaD en

ma rk

G erman

yC yp

rusHola

ndH un

gary Italy

F ra n

ceEs

tonia

F inlan

dG ree

ceLa

tv ia

L i thu

ania

Lux e

mburg

oPo

land

Uni ted

King

dom

Swed

en

First ChildSecond Child

In 2008, child benefits were increased by 5.3% on average...

Bulgaria most increased benefits in the EU, 94% for a first child and 75% for second one.

Slovakia (33%), Czech Republic (28% for a 1st child and 20% for a 2nd), Romania (18% ~ 1st; 21% ~ 2nd) have increased benefits 20%.

Belgium and Malta have increased for thefirst child and have decreased for thesecond one..

On the contrary, Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Swden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Polandhave not increased their benefits

This was specially due to Bulgaria (nearly doubled),Slovakia and the Czech Republic (which increased theirs more than 25%).

5,3%

Source: Institute for Family Policies (IPF) drawn from MISSOC data

c) B

alan

ce b

etwe

enfa

mily

and

prof

esio

nal l

ife

0

20

40

60

80

100Extra-licenceLicence

…Although there is a very marked difference both in time of duration, possibility of extention, and in amount of pay or benefits received.

The average duration of maternity leave is 25.3 weeks…

There are large differences in flexibility…Although 2 out of 3 countries (18 countries) contemplate the extension of the license, onlyfew countries -8- permit significant extensionin special cases:large families, multiplebirths,etc.

… a two thirds majority (19 countries) failed tomeet the average amount of maternity leave.

Source::In-house from EUROSTAT and MISSOC data

Licences in Europe: Weeks per born child

Although Sweden (75.7 weeks), Bulgaria (58.6), United Kingdom (52) and Denmark(50) are the countries with the longestmaternity leave in the EU-27, and have anaverage of more than a year (59 weeks)…

Wee

ks

…and in the benefits offeredIn some countries 100% of salary is coveredwhilst in others the amount is lower, andthere are even countries with periods that are not remunerated.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%Sw

eden

Hola

ndDen

ma r

kF i

nlan

dAu

str ia

Belg

ium

Unite

d Ki

ngdo

mFr

a nce

Luxe

mbu

rgo

Ger

man

yIre

land

Italy

Esto

nia

Slov

e nia

Cze c

h Re

publi

cSl

ova k

iaPo

land

Spa i

nLe

ton i

aLi

thua

nia

Mal

taG

ree c

eRo

man

iaHu

ngar

yPo

rtuga

lCy

p rus

Bulg

aria

Fully set by employeeThe employee can adjust hours w ithin certain limitsThe employee can choose from several preset schedulesCompletely set by the company

The flexibility of working hours is still very inadequate…

…even though it fundamentally needs to be reconciled with family life.

Only four countries (Sweden, Holland, Denmark and Finland) does the employee have theoption of choice about half of theday.


In 66% of cases, theemployer imposes theschedule, leaving no choice to 2 out of 3 employee.

23%

10%

20%

14%

11%12%

15%16%

19%19%

17%

14%

23%

21%

24%25%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%Ita

lySpa

inPor

tugal

Greec

e

United

King

dom

Hollan

dBelg

ium EU15Ire

land

Fran

ceAus

triaSwed

enFin

land

German

yLu

xembo

urg

Denmar

k

0,0%

0,7%

1,4%

2,1%

2,8%

3,5%

4,2%

Rate of Under-18s Poverty Risk Family Spending % GDP


There is a link between social expenditure on the family and the rate of child poverty

The higher the level of family benefits, the lower the likelihood of child poverty

COUNCIL OF EUROPE. RECOMMENDATION OF 2 SEPTEMBER 1974“This organisation recommends that Member States establish Family Guidance Centres to offer comprehensive assistance to families, and that these centres should be State funded even where they are privately run”.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE. RECOMMENDATION OF 27 JUNE 1980

Recommends that Member State governments:

• Recognise the importance of organisations dedicated to family guidance in order to improve emotional, individual and family harmony, and

• Promote the development of such organisations through adequate funding.

• Study the possibility of using the media, particularly radio and television, to reinforce family culture and education.

Most countries make no provision for the problems of family conflict, crisis or breakdown…

…in spite of the fact that the Council of Europe has been urging for this be put in place for many years

AIM:

To instigate the development in Europe of “family-oriented” government policies and

to implement genuine, effective, comprehensive and universal Family

Policies... ...

Built around the following Axes:

• Giving the Family status as a policy priority

• Making the “Family-oriented” approach an integral part of all measures put in place by the European Union

• Recognise and promote family rights in all areas, particularly

• Right of parents to reconcile work and family life.• Right of parents to have the number of children they want.• Right of parents to choose the type of education their children

. receive.• Right of children to live in a stable home

• Promoting demographic renewal in Europe by creating betterconditions for families.

• Promoting convergence between national family policies to avoid differences between countries

• Pushing for equality of opportunity for all European families, to avoid discrimination based on number of children, income levels,income distribution, etc.

… with the following strategies…

…Promote the Family as an institution,Encourage a universal concept of the Family and also a culture

and environment that allows the Family to manage its day-to-day existence,

Help parents to have the children they want,Include, in a genuinely constructive and humane fashion, the different

areas of professional, family and personal development,

Provide assistance during cases of family crisis,

Recognise the fundamental right of parents to educate their children,

Promote the active participation of parents and family associations

And, through specific measures, take account of families with

particular needs.

Following action plans that…

I. …which promote the Family as an institution…

1. By creating the Commission for the Family to promote the Family as a policy priority in European Union countries, and to ensure that all European legislation considers the Family as a social base with rights and roles that must be respected and promoted.

2. By urging EU member states to set up a Ministry for the Family with sufficient organisational and budgetary capacity to develop Family promotion and protection measures in Europe.

3. By drafting a Green Paper on the Family in Europe which analyses the problems faced by the Family along with their causes and consequence, and sets out solutions and alternatives.

4. By promoting a European Agreement on the Family between political parties, social agents and family institutions.

5. A council of ministers dealing with the family should meet once/year, as per the Reportof the European Parliament about protecting families and children.

II …which promotes a Family-oriented culture, disseminating a universal concept of the Family and encouraging an environment which favours it...

6. By re-establishing the Family Policy Observatory, with social involvement, to analyse the situation and development of the Family in Europe and to advise on, manage and oversee policy measures affecting it, and to ensure that public policy measures are drawn up to take account of the Family.

7. By running campaigns to increase awareness within society and to promote an environment and culture that favours the Family, placing value on childhood and maternity.

8. By incorporating into European Directives on communication media the criteria of respect for and promotion of the Family, in addition to the creation of Independent Audiovisual Councils one of whose objectives is the protection of minors and the Family.

9. By promoting the establishment of gradual convergence between family protection measures in different European countries, so that:

• 2.5% GDP: In 5 years time, all countries are setting aside a minimum of 2.5% of GDP forsocial spending on the family.

• Making assistance universal: In 5 years time, all countries are promoting universal family assistance practices or at least, as the first step towards achieving this, are establishing limits (per capita) which include 90% of families.

• 125€ /month: all member states should increase support for underage children to125 € / month within 5 years

• Making benefits tax-exempt: Countries establish tax convergence objectives for tax exemption on family benefits.

• Benefits linked to annual inflation rate: Countries put in place measures ensuring that family benefits increase in line with inflation.

III …which assist families in the management of their day-to-day existence, helping parents to have the children they want...

III …which assist families in the management of their day-to-day existence, helping parents to have the children they want......

10. By adopting measures of support for pregnancy and maternity

• General direct support of 1,125 euros (= 125 euros/month, over 9 months) for pregnant women, to be paid over the last 22 weeks of pregnancy.

• Reducing by 50% the VAT payable on a series of essential infant products (baby hygiene items such as nappies, soap, moisturising creams, wet wipes, feeding productssuch as formula milk, containers and feeding bottles, cereal and food preparations andbaby furniture items such as cots, chairs and prams, baby carriers, car seats etc.).

• Setting up Care Centres for Pregnant Women to help for all mothers, married or single, with their pregnancies, with particular attention for immigrant mothers.

• Specific support programme for pregnant teens to confront the particular problems pregnancy can cause these particularly defenceless groups in society.


10. By urging governments to adopt a more equal distribution of benefits aimed at the Family – currently accounting for 8% of total social benefits – gradually increasing their amount.

11. By increasing tax convergence in Europe to make it Family-oriented


13. Urge that member states and regional & local authorities define and implemente housing policies that particularly consider families

• 50% cut in VAT on new family dwellings

• 50% cut in individual taxes (judicial document taxes, tax on family inheritances, council taxes, etc.) for all families, and exemption for large families.

• Specific housing policy for young families and those with children.

• Special tax discounts for families which rent, especially for large families or those with dependent relatives

• Agreement among local & regional administrations to make housing cheaper.

IV ... Which include, in a genuinely constructive and humane fashion, the different areas of professional, family and personal development…

14. In all European Union countries, promoting and encouraging maternity leave of 23 weeks with 100% salary, and paternity leave of 6 weeks with the same conditions as maternity leave.

15. Ensuring parents’ right to choose.• Promoting extension of benefits for fathers/mothers who request

extended leave to look after their children.• Enlarging the network of nurseries for the 0-3 age group.

16. By insisting on universal assistance for families caring for elderly relatives in their home.

17. Promoting the adoption of rational working days by companies to allowprofessional and family life to be combined.

18. Development of a guide of information and awareness of good practices aboutbalance between family & working life (following Report of the Eurpean Parliament on reconciling professional, family and private lives (A5-0092/2004).

V... That help overcome family crises...

19. By insisting on preventive measures to assist in cases of family crisis (following Council of Europe recommendations) to reduce instances of family breakdown in Europe.

• Updating and modernisation of Council of Europe recommendations (1974-1980).

• Promoting Family Guidance Centres, both public and private.

• Urging EU countries to draw up a Law for Preventive Measures and Family Mediation.

• Carrying out studies, analyses and surveys to discover the causes of familybreakdown and introducing measures whose aim is to reduce and/or alleviatetheir negative consequences.

VI …Which recognise the right of parents to educate their children...

20. By recognising Education as a Fundamental Family Right (not as a public service)

• Making the education costs met by families (text books, schools etc.) income tax-deductible.

• Increasing the number of parent representatives on School Councils.

• Promoting the right of parents to choose their children’s education, promotingdirectives on the school-cheque, and assisting States that implement it (up to 25% ofthe cost).

VII …and promoting the active involvement of families and family associations...

21. By creating Internet Portal “InfoFamilias” with information on services for European families.

© IPF, Institute for Family Policies, 2009

IPF is the owner of this document and reserves all rights for its total/partial translation/reproduction by any media. However, the material contained may be reproduced for non-profit purposes, and for public dissemination, provided that its source is quoted.

Published by IPF, Institute for Family Policiesc/ Génova, 7 – 3º izda. 28004 MadridTel. + 34 911022888email: [email protected]: www.ipfe.org

Report Director: Mariano Martínez-Aedo

© IPF 2009. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

report evolution on the family in europe 2009

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