COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR FAMILIES IN SELECTED EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WITH A FOCUS ON CASH BENEFITS

Financial support measures retain their central role in today's family policy, which is increasingly important in a time when more and more families are being affected by more difficult economic conditions. The aim of this paper is to compare national family benefits systems in the context of family policy models. National models are currently more a mix of classic 'ideal types', with greater or lesser dominance of the original features, and benefit systems differ particularly in the details of setting, the degree of generosity and targeting, and the structure of forms of financial support. Cash benefits are a key component of overall financial support for families in half of the countries surveyed. In Sweden and Spain, support for family services is the main contributor to total expenditure. Benefit-generous countries have not only generous basic benefits but also a variable benefit system that takes into account different types of families and the variety of situations in which it is desirable to support families with children financially. The role of benefits in meeting two selected family policy objectives – promoting fertility and eliminating child poverty - is not clear from the comparisons made. Both fertility and child poverty indicators are most favourable in countries that have a comprehensive approach to family policy and a mix of direct and indirect instruments. The analysis confirms the need for systemic integration of cash benefits with other family policy measures if the benefit system is to fulfil its role.