Work

Social spending, child deprivation and family structure: a multilevel study in 31 European countries

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to examine the role of social spending policies in reducing child deprivation and inequality between family structures. In particular, based on the idea that the redistributive effects of such policies affect economic well-being in childhood, we analyse whether three functions of social spending (family/children, housing/social exclusion and sickness/disability) are associated with the reduction of different types of child deprivation (nutrition, clothing, education, leisure and social life) in Europe. We employ multilevel techniques for this purpose. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that greater social spending on sickness/disability benefits can reduce the risk of child deprivation, particularly for single-parent families, although we cannot exclude the possibility that this association is spurious. Family/children benefits and housing/social exclusion benefits seem to have a somewhat more limited effect but still contribute to reducing inequalities between single-parent and two-parent families in some types of deprivation.

Source: International Review of Economics

DOI: 10.1007/s12232-025-00483-0

Authors: Antonio L. Pérez-Corral, Almudena Moreno-Mínguez

Institutions: Universidad de Granada, Universidad de Valladolid

Language: English

Topic: Social Policy and Reform Studies

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, No poverty, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,290