Around 3.7 per cent of farmers received parental allowance in 2024. The proportion was slightly higher among employees, just over 4 per cent. Among other self-employed persons, the proportion was slightly lower. 

Taking account of differences in age, sex and educational level between these groups, farmers were more likely than the other groups to use family leave and for longer periods. On average, farmers are older than employees and other self-employed persons, a majority of them are men, and fewer have completed tertiary education.  

The use of parental leave nearly unchanged among farmers 

In recent years, the number of parental leave days has remained nearly unchanged among farmers. Among other self-employed persons, the number has increased slightly between 2019 and 2024. Among employees, the use of parental leave days has somewhat decreased in recent years. 

“Men tend to use parental leave more often and for longer periods now than before, particularly after the family leave reform in 2022. The differences between men and women have narrowed although women still take family leave more often and for considerably longer periods than men”, says economist Sanna Tenhunen from the Finnish Centre for Pensions. 

Female farmers were on parental leave for an average of 162 days; the equivalent figure for male farmers was 59 days. 

Use of child home care allowance decreased significantly 

The child home care allowance is a benefit less often used than the parental leave. Around 1.3 per cent of farmers received a child home care allowance in 2024. Slightly less than 2 per cent of employees and less than 1 per cent of other self-employed persons received this benefit. 

“Considering sociodemographic differences, farmers were more likely to use the home care allowance than other self-employed persons and employees”, Tenhunen states. 

Overall, the use of the child home care allowance has declined in all groups. Since 2019, the share of people receiving child home care allowance has decreased by about one third. 

“Women still draw child home care allowance clearly more often than men. Of female farmers, nearly 4 per cent received a child home care allowance while the equivalent share among men was around 0.3 per cent”, Tenhunen explains. 

Farmers engaged in livestock production use family leave more often than other farmers 

According to the study, there are differences in the use of family leave between different groups of farmers. Farmers engaged in livestock production, who are entitled to stand-in services in the form of farm relief workers during family leave, use family benefits more often than other farmers.  

In 2024, nearly 6 per cent of them took parental leave and 2 per cent received a child home care allowance. Among other farmers, the shares were just about half of that.  

“The share of farmers engaging in livestock production, the share of persons receiving a parental daily allowance has clearly increased in recent years while the corresponding share among other farmers has remained unchanged”, Tenhunen says.

Research publication: Farmers’ use of family leave in 2019–2024 (Summary in English)