Since 2014, the number of parents with children for whom they can receive childcare allowance has increased every year. In 2021 there were 34 percent more children for whom childcare allowance was received compared to the start of the increase in 2014. Compared to 2020, almost 11,000 children were added to childcare last year.
It was previously reported that the pressure on childcare is great. Plans have also been announced to make childcare almost free. According to the Childcare Branch Organization, this can lead to a major staff shortage.
Although the number of benefit recipients has increased, the percentage of costs that are reimbursed has decreased over the past three years. In 2019, more than 73 percent of the care costs incurred were reimbursed by the tax authorities, but last year this was slightly more than 71 percent.