Bringing up the rear in EU parental leave

This is how involved Austria’s dads really are

Fewer fathers take parental leave in Austria than in many other countries.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com/dusanpetkovic1 - stock.adobe.com)

June 9 is Father's Day - dads all over the country are celebrating and spoiling themselves. However, some nasty tongues claim that many of them don't deserve it because they are hardly involved in childcare. Austria's fathers also bring up the rear in the EU when it comes to parental leave.

Father's Day has been celebrated in Austria since 1955 and is always celebrated on the second Sunday in June. More than half of the population even buy small gifts - on average for 50 euros. In addition to the obligatory ties, there are often sweets and drinks. In total, around 170 million euros are spent around Father's Day in Austria. In the eyes of their partners and children, the country's dads certainly seem to have earned a day of honor.