*** The results from 2021 onwards have not yet been extrapolated to the benchmarks according to the census 2022. The update is expected to take place at the beginning of the 3rd quarter of 2025. ***
What is the relation between parents and persons without children in terms of participation in economic activity?
The employment rates of parents show the extent to which fathers and, in particular, mothers withdraw from working life when starting a family.
The employment rate of parents is defined as the share of parents in active employment in the total population. Persons are considered to be actively employed if they worked in the week prior to the survey. Persons who are on leave, special leave or parental leave are not counted.
The indicator covers all parents aged 20 to 49 years with at least one child under 6 years of age.
A balanced relation between occupational and private life is one of the basic requirements for efficiency and satisfaction at work. For many people who are in the phase of starting a family, a reasonable work and family life balance is of crucial importance for their quality of life.
Mothers put job aside for their family more often
In 2023, the employment rate of parents with at least one child under the age of 6 years was at 65.4%. Whereas the employment rate of persons with children above 6 years of age was 78.7%. However, the activity rates of men and women show big differences. Men aged 20 to 49 years with children aged above 6 years show a slightly higher active employment rate of 85.3% compared to fathers having a child under 6 years of age (84.0%). For women the difference is much bigger: 74.6% of women with children aged above 6 years were actively employed but only 49.1% having at least one child under the age of six.
| Number of children | Total | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source: Microcensus | |||
| 1 child | 66.1 | 50.1 | 84.7 |
| 2 children | 68.9 | 53.6 | 86.0 |
| 3 and more children | 56.6 | 38.0 | 78.4 |
| Total | 65.4 | 49.1 | 84.0 |
The employment of parents decreases from the third child
Comparing the employment participation of parents with one or two children, it was at a similar level in 2023. 66.1% of the parents with one child were employed compared to 68.9% of the parents with two children. In the case of parents with at least three children - of which at least one is at preschool age - the share was 56.6%. Hence, the labor force participation rate is highest for two children.
Looking at mothers and fathers separately, the same tendencies are apparent, albeit at different levels. While only 50.1% of the mothers with one child were employed, the share of fathers was much higher at 84.7%. With at least three children, the difference between mothers and fathers increases even more: 78.4% of the fathers with at least three children were employed. Among the mothers, this share at 38.0% is less than half as much.
Information on the indicator
Description or definition
Employment rate of actively employed men and women (aged 20 to 49 years) with children below the age of 6 years in all persons aged 20 to 49 years.
Active employment is given if a person works during the reference week. Persons who are on leave, special leave or parental leave are not counted.
Source
Microcensus
Information for interpretation
The microcensus with the integrated European labour force survey has been redesigned in 2020. The list of questions and the concept of the sample survey were modified, and with the introduction of an online questionnaire, the form of data collection were also changed. The results from survey year 2020 onward are therefore comparable with those of previous years only to a limited extent.
Further methodological changes affecting the results were performed in 2005, 2011 and 2021. Consequently, the results for those years can be compared with the results for previous years to a limited extent only.
The extrapolation of microcensus data uses the population figures from the 2011 Census, which was conducted as at 9 May 2011. The results have been revised from 2010 onwards. With effect from the year 2016, the sample is based on the 2011 census data. This transition affects the comparability of the results with previous years.
For more information please refer to Methods: Quality Reports and Explanations (only in German).
Further information
Redesigned microcensus as of 2020