Research from other EU countries which provide similar facilities is encouraging. In Sweden, rates of exclusive breastfeeding at four months have climbed from a low of less than 20% in the mid 1970s to almost 70% in 1997. An additional 15% are partially breastfed at this stage. These figures are high by international standards, despite significant female participation in the workforce. This has been attributed to, among other family friendly initiatives, the provision of paid breastfeeding breaks during a working day for all breastfeeding mothers.