The labour market situation for women on childcare leave in Hungary

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lakatos, Judit

Affiliations: Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Keleti Károly u. 5-7, P.O. Box 51, Budapest, 1525, Hungary. Tel.: +36 345 6204; Fax: +36 345 6379; E-mail: judit.lakatos@ksh.hu

Abstract: The position of mothers in Hungary regarding childcare benefits and status in the labour market has been affected by the change to a market economy and the employment practices which have followed. This report tracks the development of support for mothers from the 1950s to the present day, and considers how childcare support has been applied and extended as an instrument of employment and population policies. The report goes on to describe the impact on recipients of differing education levels and on families of different sizes. Noting that Hungary has the EU-25's lowest rate of employment for mothers with young children, the report considers why a ‘benefits trap’ is developing and evaluates measures taken to enable individuals and employers to improve the current status of this group in the Hungarian labour market.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-2006-23104

Journal: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 35-41, 2006