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

Author

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  • Antonio L. Pérez-Corral

    (University of Granada)

  • Almudena Moreno-Mínguez

    (University of Valladolid)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio L. Pérez-Corral & Almudena Moreno-Mínguez, 2025. "Social spending, child deprivation and family structure: a multilevel study in 31 European countries," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 72(1), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:inrvec:v:72:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s12232-025-00483-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s12232-025-00483-0
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Child well-being; Inequality; Poverty; Single-parent families; Social benefits;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure

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