Public guarantee of child support: A key policy for improving the economic well-being of lone-mother families

Child support—a monetary transfer from a non-resident parent to a lone parent to assist with the cost of raising children following union dissolution—is a critical source of income for the increasing proportion of lone-mother families, especially those at risk of experiencing poverty and material hardship.

However, in a wide range of countries, a significant proportion of lone mothers do not receive financial support from their children’s father.

Drawing on cross-national evidence and the Luxembourg Income Study Database, this policy brief highlights the importance of child support for lone-mother families and factors that may prevent lone mothers from receiving this transfer. It concludes with a series of recommendations to ensure regular and adequate child support is provided.

See other UN Women policy briefs.