Home > Statistics > Labour force survey > 2011 > Families and work in 2011 > 4. More mothers stay at home after the arrival of third child

4. More mothers stay at home after the arrival of third child

Apart from the age of children, their number also influences the employment of mothers (Figure 8). In 2011, 79 per cent of the mothers of two children were employed but only 64 per cent of mothers were still employed if there were at least three children. In 2009, the respective figures were 82 and 65 per cent. The number of children had no impact on the employment of fathers. In 2009, 92 per cent of the fathers of two children and 88 per cent of the fathers of three children were employed. The figures concern the age group of those aged 20 to 59.

Figure 8. Employment rates of fathers and mothers aged 20 to 59 by number of children in 2011

Indeed, staying at home is clearly more usual for the mothers of families with three or more children than among the mothers of families with one or two children. Around one in five of the mothers of families with at least three children were looking after their children at home and had no valid employment contract in 2011 (Figure 9). Working and looking after children were nearly equally common among the mothers of one or two children. Those mothers who did not have a valid employment contract said their principal activity was either child care or something else. Here mothers who have not had a valid employment contract and who said they primarily took care of they children were interpreted as being stay-at-home mothers.

Figure 9. Working and family leaves among 20 to 59-year-old mothers by number of children in 2011

Source: Labour Force Survey 2011. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Heidi Melasniemi-Uutela 09 1734 2523, Tarja Nieminen 09 1734 3561, tyovoimatutkimus@stat.fi

Director in charge: Riitta Harala

---

Updated 11.9.2012