topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2281.62 -1.00
DAX 6741.58 -0.37
IBEX 30 8783.6 -0.88
CAC 40 3390.12 -1.10
FTSE 100 5882.31 -0.32
AEX 324.37 -0.60
DJIA 12862.23 1.23
Nasdaq 2905.66 1.61
FTSE MIB 16292.96 -0.89
TSX Composite 12577.28 0.19
ASX 4364.6 1.03
Hang seng 20709.94 -0.23
Straits Times 2940.1 0.76
ISEQ 20 506.43 -0.10
You are here: Home News Spanish News Iceland tops European birth rate chart

Spanish News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


21/03/2009Iceland tops European birth rate chart

Experts credit Iceland’s recent jump in births largely to an improved parental leave policy, which allows both mothers and fathers to take time off.

Reykjavik -- Iceland last year saw its birth rate jump to 2.14 children per woman, making it Europe's most prolific country, largely due to improved parental leave, the national statistics agency said Thursday.

"The main reason is the paternity leave implemented around 2000," Statistics Iceland spokesman Gudjon Hauksson told AFP, adding that more advantageous compensation for both mothers and fathers on leave had also contributed to the increase.

Last year, the Atlantic island nation of some 320,000 people registered 4,835 live births -- an increase of 275 babies from 2007, when the birth rate stood at 2.09 children per woman, according to the statistics office.

"Only twice in the history of Iceland have there been more children born in one year, i.e. in 1960 and 1959," it said in a statement.

Iceland thus tops the charts as Europe's most prolific country, coming out ahead of European Union champion France where the birth rate last year stood at 2.02 children per woman.

At the beginning of the decade, Iceland began offering a total of nine months of parental leave, of which the mother is entitled to three months, the father to three months and the remaining period is split between the two. Both receive 80 percent of their salaries during their time off.

While Iceland's parental leave is less generous than what is available in the other Nordic countries, the addition of "paternity leave definitely explains the trend seen last year," Hauksson said.

Nearly two thirds of the babies on the island are born out of wedlock, while 13.3 percent are born to parents who live apart, according to Statistics Iceland.

AFP/Expatica


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Jobs in Spain

“Silicon Valley Comes to Barcelona”, 24th Feb 2012

Business and Personal Finance in Spain

“Silicon Valley Comes to Barcelona”, 24th Feb 2012

Student forum Spain

“Silicon Valley Comes to Barcelona”, 24th Feb 2012

Community Noticeboard Spain

“Silicon Valley Comes to Barcelona”, 24th Feb 2012

Jobs in Spain

Teaching English

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.

Groups and Clubs around Spain

Groups and Clubs around Spain

A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.