The concepts described on these pages are words and expressions used in statistics with a specific, limited meaning. In everyday speech the word may have a different meaning. In connection with each definition you can find information about which sets of statistics use the concept.
If you are looking for statistical figures, go from the definition to the statistics page.
Child
In the family statistics children comprise the following persons living with their parents:
- biological children,
- adopted children,
- biological children, adopted children and confirmed children of one of the spouses.
Foster children and children in the care of the family are not classified as children.
The definition of child has changed since 1990. A child is now defined as a person who lives with his or her parents irrespective of his or her marital status, unless the person has a spouse or children who live in the same household-dwelling unit. In 1990 only unmarried persons were counted as children. So while in 1990 widowed or divorced persons living with their parents were classified as not belonging to families, since 1992 they have been regarded as members of the family.
Statistics using the definition
Validity of the definition
- Valid
In the family statistics children comprise the following persons living with their parents:
- biological children,
- adopted children,
- biological children and adopted children of one of the spouses.
Foster children and children in the care of the family are not classified as children.
The definition of child has changed since 1990. A child is now defined as a person who lives with his or her parents irrespective of his or her marital status, unless the person has a spouse or children who live in the same household-dwelling unit. In 1990 only unmarried persons were counted as children. So while in 1990 widowed or divorced persons living with their parents were classified as not belonging to families, since 1992 they have been regarded as members of the family.
Statistics using the definition
Validity of the definition
- 1 January 1992 - 31 December 2019
Source organisation
- Tilastokeskus
Related concepts
Source organisation
- Tilastokeskus
Related concepts
Jaa