Patchwork families: data collection and policy initiatives

Priority question for written answer P-003798/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Liesbet Sommen (PPE)

Family structures within the European Union are becoming increasingly diverse. An increasingly common phenomenon is that of patchwork families - households in which children live with a parent and a step-parent, or with half-siblings from different parental relationships. These families face unique challenges in terms of child welfare, access to services, legal recognition and cross-border rights.

Despite the increasing presence of blended families in our society, there appears to be a lack of comparable EU data. Although Eurostat collects detailed statistics on households and families, it is unclear whether patchwork families are specifically identified and tracked in EU data collection.

• 1.Does the Commission intend to collect EU-wide statistics on patchwork families, separate from those on other family types, through Eurostat or other agencies?
• 2.If not, what measures will the Commission take to improve the availability of comparable and reliable data on patchwork families in the Member States?
• 3.How does the Commission intend to ensure that the specific needs of children and parents in patchwork families are reflected in future EU policy initiatives for families and children, such as the European Child Guarantee and the European Care Strategy?

Submitted: 30.9.2025