UK among Europe's least family-friendly countries

A new analysis of OECD data by UNICEF has revealed the European countries with the most and least family-friendly policies. At the top of the overall ranking, Sweden has the highest average ranking when considering the following indicators: paid parental leave available to mothers, paid parental leave reserved for fathers, childcare enrolment (under 3) and childcare enrolment (3 to school age).

The United Kingdom however, is among the least family-friendly countries in Europe according to these measures, with an average ranking among the 31 countries of 26.75. The UK performed best in terms of childcare enrolment for children under the age of three - 29 percent leading to a rank of 19th.