Parental leave in the EU: eligibility, policy synergies, and encouraging shared care

ent in informal care. The thematic focus of the Gender Equality Index 2026 will analyse the design of parental leave policies across EU Member States as a key component of successful and gender equal work- life balance. More specifically, it will focus on parental leave eligibility criteria, the syn

ergies (or gaps) between parental leave policies and early childhood education and care system, and policy measures designed to encourage greater uptake of parental leave among men.