The policy for parental leave benefits in Sweden was implemented in 1980 to safeguard the health of children, however, it had unintended effects. According to a study from Stockholm University published in JAMA Pediatrics, the policy led to higher rates of premature births. The policy, known as the “speed premium,” was designed to protect coThe study from Stockholm University examined the impact of a policy that increased parental leave benefits for couples with children close in age. The researchers found that the policy unintentionally led to a 26% increase in the proportion of prematurely born children over six years. However, when the policy was relaxed to a 30-month window in 1986, there was an 11% decrease in premature birth rates in the following years. These changes were still in effect.”Today,” says Enrico Debiasi, a researcher at the Department of Public Health Sciences at Stockholm University.
Most parents in Sweden receive parental leave benefits that amount to approximately 80% of their salary before the birth of their child. However, due to a prior period of non-salaried leave or a shift to part-time work, parents who already have a child may receive reduced benefits for their next child. This is a common situation for Swedish women after taking parental leave, according to Debiasi.
To address the issue of reduced benefits for parents with children close in age, the speed premium policy was implemented.The policy was designed to calculate parental leave benefits based on the income earned before the birth of the first child, for parents with children born up to 24 months apart. According to Sol Juárez, Associate Professor at the Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, the policy was well-intentioned and aimed at providing important socioeconomic benefits for mothers. However, it did not take into account the potential for parents to shorten the spacing between births, which can have negative health effects for both the mother and the child. Additionally, the policy also aimed to promote women’s participation in the workforce.Helena Honkaniemi, a researcher at the Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, notes that many women are choosing to delay having children in order to protect their income. This can lead to a higher percentage of women having multiple children at older ages, which can pose a risk to their reproductive health. Juárez highlights the importance of considering health when creating family policies.
