The Fairness in Families Index (FIFI), measured by the Fatherhood Institute, places the UK fourth from the bottom in a league table of 21 countries, with only Japan, Austria and Switzerland rated less family-friendly.
The index is the first of its kind to draw on data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It ranks countries on a set of ten 'family fairness' indictors including parental leave, paternity pay, and the ratio of men's to women's time spent caring for children.
Rob Williams, chief executive of the Fatherhood Institute, commented, 'The FIFI gives a benchmark for where Britain stands in terms of how far policies allow families to share parenting and be more equal. There is clearly a long way to go if we are to become "the most family-friendly country in Europe", as the coalition has pledged.'
The UK was ranked just 15th for paternity pay, with men getting just two days full paid leave, based on average full-time earnings, compared with a maximum of 40 weeks in top-ranking Sweden.
For the amount of time men and women spend caring for a child the UK was ranked 12th, with men spending just 32.4 minutes for every hour by a woman.
However, the UK was ranked eighth for the percentage of GDP spent on childcare and education for the under-fives.
Speaking at the launch of FIFI at the House of Commons last week, David Lammy, former minister for higher education, said, 'Over the last part of the 20th century and this century there have been huge advances for women, but the UK is lagging behind with changes in the home.'
The Labour MP also announced plans for an all-party parliamentary group on fatherhood, supported by the Fatherhood Institute and Parentline Plus.
