Parental leave is a critical policy that affects family well-being, gender equality, and workforce participation. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) tracks parental leave policies across its 38 member countries, and the differences are striking. Countries with generous, well-structured leave policies consistently rank higher in child health outcomes, maternal labor force participation, and overall life satisfaction metrics.
In 2026, the global conversation around parental leave continues to evolve. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated changes in workplace flexibility, and many governments have since revised their family leave frameworks. Whether you are planning a family, considering a job abroad, or advocating for better policies, understanding how different countries approach parental leave is essential.
The following table compares parental leave entitlements across major countries, including both maternity and parental leave available to either parent. Where applicable, shared leave that can be split between parents is noted.
| Country | Maternity Leave | Paternity/Partner Leave | Shared/Parental Leave | Pay Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estonia | 20 weeks (100%) | 10 days (100%) | up to 475 days | 100% of earnings |
| Sweden | 14 weeks (80%) | 10 days (80%) | 480 days total | 80% of earnings |
| Norway | 15-19 weeks (80-100%) | 2 weeks (100%) | 49-59 weeks total | 80-100% of earnings |
| Iceland | 12 weeks (80%) | 12 weeks (80%) | 5 weeks shared | 80% of earnings |
| Germany | 14 weeks (100%) | Up to 3 years (unpaid) | Up to 14 months | 67% (capped) |
| Canada | 15 weeks (55%) | 5 weeks (55%) | up to 40 weeks | 55% of earnings |
| United Kingdom | 52 weeks (90% then statutory) | 1-2 weeks (statutory) | up to 50 weeks | 90% then £184.03/week |
| Australia | 18 weeks (minimum wage) | 2 weeks (minimum wage) | N/A | Minimum wage rate |
| Japan | 14 weeks (67%) | 4 weeks (67%) | up to 12 months | 67% of earnings |
| United States | 12 weeks (unpaid) | None (federal) | None (federal) | Unpaid (FMLA) |
European Union Directive 2019/1158 established minimum parental leave standards across all EU member states: at least 10 working days of paternity leave and four months of parental leave per parent. Many countries far exceed these minimums. The EU Parental Leave Directive also requires that at least two of the four months of parental leave be non-transferable, encouraging fathers to take time off.
The Nordic countries—Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, and Finland—remain the gold standard. They combine generous leave durations with high wage replacement rates and strong cultural norms that encourage fathers to take leave. In Sweden, fathers take an average of 30% of all parental leave days, a figure no other region comes close to.
The United States remains the only OECD country without a national paid maternity leave policy. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides 12 weeks of unpaid leave, but only for employees at companies with 50+ workers. However, 13 states and Washington, D.C. have enacted their own paid family leave programs, including California, New York, Washington, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon, Colorado, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, and others.
Canada offers a much stronger federal framework through Employment Insurance (EI). Mothers receive 15 weeks of maternity benefits at 55% of earnings, and parents can share up to 40 additional weeks (or 69 weeks at 35% under the extended option). Quebec operates its own Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP), which offers higher benefits.
Japan has one of the most generous statutory leave entitlements in the world—up to 14 months of parental leave at 67% of salary. However, cultural norms mean that only about 14% of Japanese fathers actually take it. The government has set a target of 30% of fathers taking paternity leave by 2025 and 50% by 2030.
Australia introduced its Paid Parental Leave scheme in 2011, providing 18 weeks at the national minimum wage. In 2024, the scheme was expanded to allow parents to take leave flexibly until the child turns two, and combined with the Dad and Partner Pay (2 weeks), families now have more flexibility than ever.
Singapore offers 16 weeks of paid government maternity leave and 2 weeks of paternity leave, with the government covering the cost. South Korea provides 90 days of maternity leave and up to 12 months of parental leave, with the first year reimbursed at 50-80% of salary.
South Africa provides 4 months of unpaid maternity leave under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, with UI benefits at 38-60% of earnings. Brazil offers 120 days of paid maternity leave at 100% of wages, funded by the employer or social security. Chile provides 24 weeks of maternity leave (18 weeks pre-birth, 6 weeks post-birth) at 100% of salary, one of the longest durations in South America.
Kenya offers 3 months of paid maternity leave and 2 weeks of paternity leave, both fully employer-funded. Rwanda provides 12 weeks of maternity leave at full pay, funded by the social security system.
The non-transferable "daddy quota" pioneered by Norway in 1993 has spread across Europe. Iceland, Sweden, Germany, and others have adopted or expanded these reserved periods to normalize paternal involvement. Research shows that when fathers take leave early in a child's life, it strengthens the father-child bond and increases long-term paternal involvement in caregiving.
Australia, Canada, and several EU countries now allow parents to take parental leave in blocks rather than all at once. This flexibility helps families manage childcare arrangements and supports phased returns to work. Australia's 2024 reforms allow parents to use their 18 weeks of paid leave in flexible increments until the child's second birthday.
Many countries are extending parental leave benefits to self-employed individuals and gig workers. Germany, France, and the UK all offer maternity benefits to self-employed mothers through their social security systems. Canada's EI system covers self-employed workers who opt in voluntarily.
Several countries have extended the total duration of parental leave in recent years. Spain increased its parental leave to 16 weeks in 2021 and further expanded it to 20 weeks in 2024. New Zealand extended its paid parental leave from 22 weeks to 26 weeks effective July 2024.
If you live in a country with limited parental leave, remember that employer policies can supplement statutory entitlements. Many large tech companies, financial institutions, and multinational corporations offer paid parental leave well above legal minimums—sometimes offering 16 to 26 weeks of fully paid leave regardless of the country's statutory framework.
Always check both your statutory rights and your employer's policies. Union contracts may also provide enhanced leave terms. In countries like Germany, works councils can negotiate additional leave benefits that exceed the legal minimum.