Time with Children, Time at Work: Changes in Germany between 1991/92 and 2001/02 and in Austria between 1992 and 2008/09

Caroline Berghammer, University of Vienna and Vienna Institute of Demography

Based on time-use data for Germany (1991/92-2001/02) and Austria (1992-2008/09) this contribution depicts trends in the time parents of children under age six spend on child care. Using a decomposition technique, the article analyses whether these trends are due to behavioural changes or to changes in the population composition. In doing so, it specifically focuses on couples’ employment arrangements. The findings show that child-care time has remained constant in Germany, but increased in Austria. While both components have only weak effects in Germany, the changing population structure is the main driver behind the trend in Austria. In both countries, the rising number of mothers working part-time has a positive effect on care time, the decreasing number of housewives a negative one. Moreover, in Austria the rising child-care time is due to the growing number of mothers and fathers with tertiary education and the declining number of fathers with a non-employed partner.