The international edited volume entitled Promoting Labour Market Participation of Parents with Young Children Across the EU 2026 has been published
The Mária Kopp Institute for Demography and Families (KINCS) has published the international edited volume entitled “Promoting Labour Market Participation of Parents with Young Children Across the EU 2026”, which examines the legal and policy issues surrounding the labor market participation of parents with young children in a European Union comparison. The first part of the volume was presented in 2024, and the recently published second part dives further into the presentation of European Union experiences and best practices.
Achieving a balance between work and family life is a key objective for European Union Member States, one that is linked to addressing both employment policy and demographic challenges. Although numerous policy initiatives and commitments have been launched in recent years, parents of young children continue to face many difficulties in the labor market.
To explore these challenges and conduct a comparative legal analysis, an international network of experts was established in 2024, bringing together researchers and legal professionals from various European countries. The network’s first symposium was organized by the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences at ELTE and KINCS in Budapest in November 2024, followed a year later by a second professional meeting. At these events, experts from a total of 19 European countries discussed how national and European law responds to the often complex and conflicting demands of balancing work and family life.
This volume, the result of the professional dialogue held at the conferences, provides a comprehensive overview of practices in various European countries. The studies focus on labor law regulations that directly influence labor market participation, social security systems, family support, and the availability and accessibility of childcare services.
The volume not only identifies the problems and shortcomings facing individual countries but also presents best practices, innovative solutions, and future challenges and trends. As such, it serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and professionals interested in family and employment policy.
The book can be downloaded for free from the KINCS website: https://www.koppmariaintezet.hu/en/publications
