• family policies
• gender
• social expenditure
• Welfare

Given the Esping-Andersen’s comparative analysis of the welfare states in Western Europe, this thesis studies the link between his categorization and the Italian welfare structure. In doing so, it follows the analysis suggested by Adema on the basis of SOCX data, i.e. the OECD Social Expenditure Database which provides international indicators on public and private (mandatory and voluntary) social expenditure. The focus is on the Italian case, with occasional reference to OECD countries, and on the impact of family policies on the reconciliation of work and family care.