Legislation in the field of gender equality aims at creating equal conditions for men and women, both as regards pay and career opportunities. In 1985 the Riksdag took a decision that all children from the age of 18 months and up to school age should have access to a place in the pre-school programme by 1991 at the latest. During this period the birth rate increased rapidly at the same time as the number of women working in a profession grew and the goal could not be reached. The liability applies to children from age one up to and including twelve years whose parents are gainfully employed or study. At present there are sufficient places to meet demand in most municipalities.
Childbirth rates are currently low in Sweden.
Now that the economy has improved after the crisis years in the early 1990s, substantial amounts are being invested in family policies in the form of, for example, increased child allowance, extended parental insurance and lower charges in the child care services. Child allowance is one of the foundations of general welfare and the Government's objective is that child allowances should level out costs between those who have children and those who do not. As of 1 January 2001, child allowance is SEK 950 per child and month. In addition to this, there is supplementary child allowance. Parental insurance means that parents receive 80 per cent of their income for 360 days and, in addition to that, they are entitled to an additional 90 days parental leave with SEK 60 per day guaranteed.