Family Policy in Hungary: how to improve the reconciliation between work and family?

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Family Policy in Hungary: how to improve the reconciliation between work and family?

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Philip Hemmings ()

Abstract

Hungarian family policy focuses on providing generous options to take time off work to look after children. This system not only contributes to Hungary’s low employment rate but encourages long separation from the labour market, has largely failed to significantly influence fertility rates and is relatively expensive to run. This paper looks at how to shift the policy focus towards reconciling work and family life. Reasons for under-provision in childcare by local governments are discussed and recommendations for further central-government intervention to improve supply are made. Recommendations for reform are also made regarding the complex system of family cash benefits and leave allowances.

La politique familiale en Hongrie : comment mieux concilier travail et vie de famille
En Hongrie, la politique familiale consiste surtout en larges facilités de congé pour l’éducation des enfants. Cette politique ne se traduit pas seulement par un faible taux d’emploi ; elle a aussi favorisé de longues périodes d’inactivité tout en échouant largement dans son objectif de plus forte fécondité et en étant relativement coûteuse. On examinera dans ce document comment réorienter ces mesures d’une façon qui permette de mieux concilier travail et vie de famille. On verra pourquoi les services d’accueil de l’enfance sont insuffisants au niveau des collectivités locales et on recommandera de nouvelles initiatives de l’administration centrale pour développer ces services. On préconisera également une série de réformes du système complexe de prestations familiales en espèces et d’allocations pour congés.

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Paper provided by OECD Economics Department in its series OECD Economics Department Working Papers with number 566.

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Date of creation: 04 Jul 2007
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Handle: RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:566-en

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

NEP-ALL-2007-08-08 (All new papers)

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This page was last updated on 2008-11-17.

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