Childcare: Commission calls on Member States to do more

Date: 3rd June 2013
Category: Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities, Family Environment and Alternative Care

Member States will need to step up their efforts to improve childcare provisions, if the EU is to reach its 75% employment rate target by 2020, said the European Commission in a report released on the 3rd June 2013.

The progress report finds that just eight countries have met both targets agreed at EU level for availability and accessibility of childcare services. The so-called 'Barcelona targets', agreed by EU leaders in 2002, say that childcare should be provided for 90% of children between three years old and the mandatory school age, and for 33% of children under three.

Meanwhile, a new study also released by the Commission on the same day, sheds light on the phenomenon of the 'gender pension gap', showing that on average across the EU, women's pensions are 39% lower than men's.

• Download the report here.
• Find out more information here.