Large families represent 3% of all EU households, 12,6% of families with children, and probably almost 1/4 of EU children under 18. Despite this, there’s almost no literature regarding large families in particular. The lack of data makes it considerably more difficult to design policies and laws with large families in mind.
In this recent feedback to the European Commission, ELFAC calls for statistical research dedicated specifically to large families and the difficulties they face.
There is almost no literature about large families, being the research “Families and society” (2013) one of the very few source of information about a family model that represent 3% of all Eu households, 12,6 of the famlies with children (and, but as we do not have official numbers) almost 1/4 of EU children under 18.
The lack of data is one of the biggest challenges faced when advocating for large families, as they remain practically invisible. For example: we have the number of large families and single parents families, but we don’t know how many large families are single parent’s and there is no distinction among single parent’s families: but it is obviously quite different to be a single parent of 1, 2 or 5 children.
This is just an example of the importance to introduce the number of children in the European’s Commission’s statistics, beginning with the “population” field.
It would be an interesting marker for a demographic overview, both at the European and local level, but it would also give a better picture of real life when discussing about work/life balance, housing, poverty and inclusion.
The number of children in a household does impact and make the difference, and should always be taken into account.
ELFAC’s objective is to remind the EU Commission not only to introduce a “family lens” when working on any directive or regulations, but also to take into account the number of children in the family.
The general rule also applies when discussing about housing: ELFAC has produced a position paper (January 2026) where we call for: Equal treatment per child in all housing-related supports. Housing benefits (whether for buying, building, or renting) should be calculated per child, ensuring that each child in the household is recognized equally.
In some Member States, such as Cyprus and Romania, eligibility or benefit amounts decrease after the second or third children are capped, leaving large families structurally disadvantaged.
Large families face specific housing vulnerabilities but are not recognized as a target group. Overcrowding rates for multi-child households are consistently above EU averages, yet large families are missing from the Commissions current list of vulnerable groups.
Including data and concrete recommendations now is the best chance to have families – and especially large families – explicitly mentioned in the Action Plan. Direct access for private households to EU greening and renovation funds.
While this may seem slightly beyond the narrow scope of housing support, it is highly relevant: renovation and greening (insulation, solar panel programs, e.g.) have major cost impacts on families. Future EU funding streams for green renovation should be accessible directly to families, not exclusively to companies, associations, or investors.
The Hungarian example shows this is possible: the national solar panel scheme is accessible to private households, with special preference for large families.
ELFAC call for direct access for municipalities to EU cohesion funds to invest in large family-friendly housing policies
Municipalities are the closest institutions to the people and can react and respond to their needs: supporting rents, providing dwellings that can accommodate larger families for social housing.
Harmonized housing policies across countries, to improve cohesion, justice, and democracy. Improvement of statistical data research on the specific target group of families with 3 or more children and their living and housing conditions across Europe.
These requests were made possible by an internal survey among ELFAC’s associations, and it is mainly the result of volunteers’ work and research. The EU Commission can surely afford to lead such researches in a much more effective and productive way, in order to address families’ needs.”