OECD Family Database

From Wikigender.org

The OECD Family database, introduced by the Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs (ELS), features cross-national indicators on family policies and outcomes. The initial phase of indicators presents updated information building on the OECD Babies and Bosses series on the reconciliation of work and family life, including indicators on maternal employment, the nature and extent of childcare participation, and public support and information on parental leave policies. Other indicators have been drawn from various “in-house” sources such as the OECD Social Expenditure database, OECD Benefits and Wages, OECD Labour Force Statistics and the OECD Education database, as well as databases maintained by other (international) organisations.

Structure of the Database

The structure of the database organises indicators into four general areas of work:

family structure;
the labour market position of families;
public policies towards families and children; and
child outcomes.

Throughout 2008, development of indicators within these core subjects will be carried out paying particular emphasis to areas which are presently “data poor” on a cross-national basis, for example participation in out-of-school-hours care, family-friendly workplace practices and the take-up of paid and unpaid parental leave. In addition, work undertaken in the OECD project on child well-being will be featured when it becomes available.

Information of the Indicators

Typical information presented within each indicator encompasses relevant definitions and methodology, comparability and data issues, information on sources and, where relevant, the raw data or descriptive information across countries. Time series where available can also be accessed. At present, the structure of the Family database does not include indicators that cover issues related to the position (and care needs) of elderly family members (see OECD webpages on pension or health).