The finding of relatively long AFDC spell lengths, at least compared to spell lengths in Norway and Sweden, is maybe not so surprising since the U.S. AFDC primarily targeted highly disadvantaged single mothers, who would generally be expected to remain on welfare for longer. For a 42-month period starting in the late 1980s or early 1990s, they report median spell durations of around 4 months for an individual's first observed spell in Gothenburg and Helsingborg and of 5-6 months for Bremen, Milan and Turin. By contrast, median benefit spell durations are one year for Vitoria, over two years for Barcelona and nearly 3 years for Lisbon.