Government Transfers in the Nordic Countries Helga Kristjánsdóttir Deild Titill rannsóknar Höfundur Government Transfers in the Nordic Countries Helga Kristjánsdóttir Figure 1. exhibits benefit days, that is the percentage (%) taken by men during pregnancy, childbirth and adoption. Figure 1. reflects on a substantial increase in the percentage of men in Iceland that enjoy benefit days with their children, with the development taking off after 2000, and then with a relatively steady situation from 2004-2007. Denmark applies a new method from 2002 in its accounting procedure. As for data from Iceland then until 2000 entitlement to daily cash benefit during maternity leave lapsed if a mother was entitled to full pay from her employer. Source: Nordic Council of Ministers (2010). Figure 2. shows daily cash benefits, % received by men during pregnancy, childbirth and adoption. Figure 2. reflects that until 1997 the percentage of cash benefits going to men are minimal, there is a considerable change in the period from 1997 to 2000, and again in the period from 2000 to 2004. This development in Figure 1. corresponds to what is happening in Figure 1. Denmark applies a new method from 2002. Also, it held for Iceland until 2000 that entitlement to daily cash benefit during maternity leave lapsed if a mother was entitled to full pay from her employer. Source: Nordic Council of Ministers (2010). Figure 3. exhibits country expenditure in 2007 on cash benefits and services by type, EUR per capita. Figure 3. reveals that in 2007 families and children in Iceland are receiving close what families and children in Denmark are receiving. However, it should be kept in mind that this is reported in in terms of EUR per capita, and in 2007 the Icelandic krona was much stronger than it is today. The figures for 2006 are revised As for Denmark it holds that pensions to widows and widowers have been abolished, but they have the option of applying for ordinary anticipatory pension. Source: Nordic Council of Ministers (2010). Figure 4. Social expenditure financing 2007, by reporting country, time and type of financial source in %. Insured includes contributions and special taxes. Figure 4. reflects that when compared to the other Nordic countries, the social expenditure in Iceland is financed less by public authorities and contributions and special taxes. However, when compared to the other countries, Iceland seems to finance expenditures more with reliance on employers and other means of sources. Reporting country: Norway: New method from 2002. Source: Nordic Council of Ministers (2010). In conclusion it can be said that there was a rapid shift in 2000 in Iceland, with a substantial increase in the percentage of benefit days as well as in the daily cash benefit percentage taken my men, partly following legal changes in the period. When 2007 numbers for the expenditures in countries are considered, families and children in Iceland receiving much in comparison to the neighboring countries, however Iceland has cut down on these issues since the crises. Finally, the structure of social financing in 2007 is less by total public authorities and contributions and special taxes, but more by employers and other means.