Big differences in municipal day-care fees

There are big differences in the fees paid by parents for day-care services operated by Norwegian municipalities (local governments). For households with a combined gross income of NOK 375,000, the difference between the most and least expensive municipality is about NOK 17,000. For high-income households, a private day-care place costs in many cases just as much as a municipal one.

Municipality of residence and income play a major role in terms of how much parents have to pay to have children in municipal day-care facilities. For households with a gross annual income of NOK 375,000 the difference between the most expensive and cheapest municipality is nearly 80 per cent. Fauske offers parents in this income category municipal day-care places at a cost of NOK 21,340, while Fet municipality charges NOK 38,335, figures from the parent day-care fee survey for the second half of 1997 show. The survey includes 109 of Norway's 435 municipalities. Annual payments are calculated from the monthly fee including food money and the number of payments per year.

The biggest difference was found in low-income households with a gross annual income of NOK 100,000. Fauske, Sola and Drammen offer free day-care places to parents in this income group. Other municipalities offer a free place, although food is extra. This varies from under NOK 700 to around 1,900 for the year. Tromsų, followed by Lillehammer and Steinkjer, are the most expensive for low-income groups, with annual fees from NOK 33,000 to 33,385. The figures for low-income groups have to be interpreted carefully. In many cases low income and high day-care fees entitle households to various public benefits.

New Statistics

Survey of day-care fees paid by parents, 2nd half of 1997.
Statistics have been published in the Weekly Bulletin of Statistics in May and November every year. The survey is conducted for the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs. More information: Frode Bendiksen, tel. +47 21 09 44 27 and Randi Johannessen, tel. +47 21 09 47 30.

Weekly Bulletin issue no. 45, 1997