Slovenia: the case of a long-term co-existence of a well-developed family policy and a (lowest) low fertility

Nada Stropnik, Institute for Economic Research, Slovenia

In the period 1995-2005, Slovenia was the country with the lowest low total fertility rate (TFR), the lowest level being 1.20 in 2003. The TFR was below 1.5 in the 18-year period from 1990 to 2007. In 2010 and 2011 it was 1.57 and 1.56, respectively, since women have been recuperating the postponed births. For decades, Slovenia has had a well-developed family policy, aimed at enabling the reconciliation of professional and family obligations, providing equal opportunities to both sexes and a horizontal redistribution of income in favour of families with children. This is particularly true for parental leave and pre-school childcare. Notwithstanding, almost no impact of family policy on fertility has ever been observed. This paper focuses on the factors (including family policy measures) that had influenced people’s decisions to have their first, second and third child. The evaluation of family policy measures and preferences is dealt with, too. The main data source is the Slovenian survey on the impact of family policy measures, conducted in June 2010 on a representative sample of 1,013 persons aged 20-49 years. Reference is made to the results of the 2000 International Population Policy and Attitudes Survey and the 1995 Fertility and Family Survey.