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Planet Money

Shopping for parental benefits around the world

Mar 1, 2024
Discover the stark differences in parental benefits around the globe. Explore how the U.S. contrasts with countries like Sweden and Singapore in supporting families. Learn about generous parental leave policies and the push for gender equality in caregiving. Delve into Estonia's unique incentives designed to boost birth rates. The episode raises critical questions about why some nations are willing to financially reward parenting while others make it so challenging. It’s a deep dive into economics and family life, revealing intriguing international dynamics.
29:33

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Countries like Singapore offer cash bonuses for babies and government-subsidized childcare to address demographic concerns and encourage childbirth.
  • Sweden's policies promote gender equality by offering long parental leave, subsidized childcare, and incentives for men to take parental leave, resulting in high labor force participation and a smaller gender pay gap.

Deep dives

Singapore's Pro-Natalist Policies

Singapore offers cash bonuses for babies, 3 months of parental leave, government-subsidized childcare, and addresses demographic concerns by incentivizing childbirth. The country experienced a shift in policy to encourage more babies due to declining birth rates, with policies aimed at increasing fertility rates.

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