Young parents on parental leave in the Nordic countries

The pursuit of gender equality constitutes one of the main characteristics of the Nordic countries, both in the labour market and in the private sphere of family and care responsibilities. Parental leave policies that include non-transferable quotas for both mothers and fathers are central factor for this. The take-up and sharing of parental leave between parents is related to many socio-demographic aspects, including age. Having children at young age increases social risks in education and employ-ment that have consequences also for the take-up of parental leave