The Family barometers series was launched by the Population Research Institute, a subdivision of the Finnish Family Federation, in 1996. The annual surveys revolve round family life, but each barometer has also its own theme. These have included assistance between different generations, sufficiency of public support and services, the division of domestic responsibilities, work-life balance, parenting, child-rearing, and children's pastimes and hobbies.
The 2018 Family Barometer charted the views of Finnish people on family policy, birth-related topics and social benefits for families. The study included themes such as family benefits, taxation, parenthood, acquiring children, and work-life balance. Many of the questions in this survey have also been presented in the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Family Barometers.
First, the survey asked about the respondent's life situation by asking, for example, how many children the respondent have. If the respondent had minor children, he or she was asked about their use of screen media. Respondents were also asked about their views on family benefits and services and the distribution of tax resources. Next, the respondent was asked about the ideal number of children. The respondent was also asked if he/she planned to have children or, alternatively, more children. If the respondent is not planning to have children, he/she was asked to what extent the various issues listed influence this decision. Respondents were also asked about their views on the level of child benefit, the duration of parental and childcare leave and the amount of childcare allowance. Next, the respondent was asked which issues influenced the decision to have the youngest child and which issues he/she had found particularly challenging in relation to the birth of the youngest child.
The next question asked whether the respondent had recently had to compromise on various personal or family expenses. The respondent was also asked about issues such as the limitation of subjective day care, how to promote parental leave for fathers and at what age the child is ready to go to care outside the home. Respondent was also asked to assess the reasons why more and more Finns are postponing having children or not having children at all. Finally, respondent was asked about views on proposed changes to family leave, taxation models and the success of the government in promoting the well-being of families and children in Finland.
Background variables included, among others, the respondent's gender, year of birth, number of children, region of residence, marital status, level of education, number of children and grandchildren, ages of children living in the household, number of persons in the household, gross annual personal and household income and occupational status.
Kantar TNS Finland chose the respondents from their population panel that represents the population of Finland (excluding the Åland Islands) based on the demographic of Finland. The Internet panel covers around 50 000 households in mainland Finland. Data collection ended when the wanted amount of respondents was reached. Data collection was conducted with an online survey.