Working Papers in Economics,
University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics

Abstract: The effects of a recent Swedish child-care fee reform are compared with those of an alternative reform, increased child benefits. The fee reform implied considerably decreased fees and was intended to increase both labor supply among parents and their economic well-being. We estimate labor supply effects using a discrete choice labor supply model, and simulate behavioral responses to the changes. We find positive, but small, effects on labor supply from reduced fees, while increased child benefits would make single mothers decrease their labor supply. On the other hand, increased child benefits would make income distribution more equal. We make a social welfare comparison and conclude that for plausible values of inequality aversion, the alternative reform would have been preferable to the implemented fee reform.

Keywords: Labor supply; Redistribution; Reform; Child care; Fees; Child benefit

JEL-codes: H31; I38; J22

36 pages, April 3, 2007

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Anna Brink, Katarina Nordblom and Roger Wahlberg, (2007), 'Maximum fee vs child benefit: A welfare analysis of Swedish child-care fee reform', International Tax and Public Finance, vol 14, no 4, pages 457-480

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