The Role of Demographic and Economic Characteristics of Twelve Member States of the European Union in the Diversity of State Support for Families

This study is based upon an international dataset comparing state support for families in fifteen countries (of which twelve are member states of the European Union). The data, which deal with 84 model families, are for the year 1992 and were originally presented in an article in this journal in 1993 (Bradshaw et al. 1993a).

Using multiple regression analysis, the levels of state support are explained by the principal parameters used for setting the levels of ben efit, and by the demographic and economic characteristics of the countries concerned. Similar regression analyses are then under taken for each country separately, limited to the benefit parameters.

From a comparison of these various regres sions it seems that each of the two sets of fac tors plays an important role. This suggests that the economic convergence of the member states is likely to promote greater similarity in their systems of state welfare support for fam ilies. Nevertheless, the differences which emerge can be interpreted as reflecting differ ing priorities. A definite effort of political will would be necessary for the convergence of national family welfare policies to become a reality.