Family policies are a mainstay of national policies and one of the most meaningful means for governments to influence the standard of living of future generations. Family policies also have a central part to play in meeting many of the targets that will contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recognizing the role of families as an elementary unit of society, governments are increasingly enforcing family policies, including conditional and unconditional cash transfers, child allowances, maternity and parental leave, as well as preschool education and care policies.

This study explores how family policies and their specific designs can be leveraged to meet the SDGs.