AND

Are public and private support mechanisms substitutes with respect to unemployment? From the indicators of State and family support presented here, State and family are substitutes in the majority of European countries. State support is higher when family support is weaker, and lower when family support is stronger. In spite of this, the overall degree of support for the unemployed varies widely across Europe, due to differences in the generosity of unemployment benefits. Unemployment benefits are most generous in Denmark, while family support, which is more important in Southern Europe, only partially compensates for lower unemployment benefits. With the exception of Portugal, the unemployed are less well-treated in Southern Europe. Family support is most important in France and Portugal; in all countries family support improves the situation of certain groups of the unemployed, such as women in couples and young adults who still live at home. 2 1