Cost of Child-Care for Parents – Evolution of Regional Inequality

Mare Ainsaar , University of Tartu
Mona Sõukand, University of Tartu

Accessible and high-quality child-care have many positive functions. Child-care is a source of social, economic and educational benefits for children and helps parents to remain in the labour market. Quite many analyses had found a link between fertility and child care. The presentation analyses the evolution of child care costs in Estonia and regional diversity of child-care fees for parents. We use data from a special survey conducted by authors in all local municipalities in Estonia during 16 years. The cost is analysed in the content of the background information about size, demographic composition, the wealth of local governments and the income of their inhabitants. The results show that the contribution of parents varies essentially in different local municipalities and creates large regional differences in the treatment of families with children within one country. These differences have increased in time. The relative child care cost is shaped by the size of municipality and population income level. The relative child care cost is higher in large municipalities with higher population income level.

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 Presented in Session P1. Postercafe