Share of fathers among parental benefit recipients has grown
As of Oct. 31 of this year, the Estonian National Social Insurance Board was paying out parental benefits to 17,468 people, among which the share of fathers receiving benefits had increased 3.4 percent since September.
The total sum of payouts in October was 17.4 million euros.
Compared to September, the number of recipients had increased by 1.4 percent to 246. According to the board, a total of 17 million euros in parental benefits was paid out to 17,222 people in September.
1,386 fathers received a total of 2.2 million euros in payouts in October, an increase in recipients of 3.4 percent and increase in total payouts of 3.7 percent.
The average size of the monthly payout was 988 euros in September and 995 euros in October, making for an increase of 0.7 percent.
Estonia's parental benefit is a benefit equaling the recipient's average income paid to a parent on parental leave for 435 days following the conclusion of maternity leave. Following the first 70 days after childbirth, fathers have equal rights with mothers to claim the benefit.
The maximum amount of the benefit per calendar month has been capped at three times the national average monthly income.
Editor: Editor: Aili Vahtla
Source: BNS
