New parents need time to care for an infant and to adjust to a new family dynamic. That often means temporarily taking a step back from work. While it may not be ideal for employers, it's necessary for the health and wellbeing of employees and their families. A few weeks off is also a drop in the bucket compared to years of dedicated talent that may otherwise leave the workforce.
Depending on where your business operates, time off can mean different things. How many weeks an employee can take and how they will be compensated varies from one country to the next—and it all factors into how businesses and their employees rate the policies for paid time off.
In this article, we'll explore the countries with the best maternity leave policies, highlighting the benefits they offer new parents and how these policies help attract and retain top talent.
Top 10 countries for maternity leave
Let's dive into the top countries for maternity leave, examining their economic landscapes, specific maternity leave policies, and other important compliance considerations for employers.
- Norway
- Bulgaria
- United Kingdom
- Sweden
- Slovakia
- Croatia
- Greece
- Canada
- Czech Republic
- New Zealand
1. Norway: 343 days at 100% pay
Norway has a prosperous, mixed economy with a vibrant private sector and a large state sector. The country is known for its high standard of living and comprehensive social security system.
Norway offers 49 weeks of parental leave at full pay or 59 weeks at 80% pay. This can be shared between parents, with 15 weeks reserved for each parent that cannot be transferred. This policy encourages both parents to take time off and bond with their newborn.
Employers in Norway should be familiar with the country's strong labor unions, strict working hour regulations and generous vacation entitlements. The country also has a unique system of collective agreements that often set industry-wide standards for wages and working conditions.
2. Bulgaria: 410 days at 90% pay
Bulgaria has a developing market economy with a focus on services, industry and agriculture. The country has been working to improve its business environment and attract foreign investment.
Bulgaria offers one of the longest maternity leave periods globally. Mothers are entitled to 410 days of paid maternity leave, with the first 45 days being mandatory. The leave is paid at 90% of the employee's salary, providing substantial support for new mothers.
Employers in Bulgaria should be aware of strict labor code regulations, including limitations on working hours, mandatory rest periods and specific requirements for employment contracts. The country also has a relatively complex social security system that employers must navigate.
3. United Kingdom: 273 days at 90% pay
The U.K. has a highly developed, service-oriented economy and is one of the world's leading financial centers. The country has a flexible labor market but also strong protections for workers.
The U.K. offers up to 52 weeks of maternity leave, with the first 39 weeks being paid. The first 6 weeks are paid at 90% of the employee's salary, followed by 33 weeks at a flat rate of £184.03 or 90% of their average weekly earnings (whichever is lower). Fathers or partners can take up to 2 weeks of paid paternity leave.
Employers in the U.K. need to be aware of regulations such as the National Minimum Wage, Working Time Regulations and auto-enrollment pension schemes. The country also has strong anti-discrimination laws and protections for part-time and fixed-term workers.
4. Sweden: 390 days at 80% pay
Sweden boasts a highly developed and export-oriented economy, with a focus on services and industry. The country is known for its strong welfare state and emphasis on work-life balance.
Sweden offers one of the most generous paid parental leave policies in the world. Parents are entitled to 480 days of paid leave per child, with 390 days paid at 80% of the employee's salary. This can be shared between both parents, promoting gender equality and allowing same-sex couples to benefit equally.
Employers in Sweden should be aware of strong labor unions, strict employment protection laws and mandatory vacation time. The country also has a unique system of collective bargaining agreements that often supersede individual employment contracts.
5. Slovakia: 238 days at 75% pay
Slovakia has a high-income advanced economy with a focus on services and manufacturing. The country has been working to improve its business environment and attract foreign investment.
Slovakia offers 34 weeks of paid maternity leave for birth parents, paid at 75% of the employee's salary. Single mothers are entitled to 37 weeks, and mothers of multiple births can take up to 43 weeks. Fathers can take up to 28 weeks of paid paternity leave.
Employers in Slovakia should be aware of the country's labor code, which provides strong protections for employees. This includes regulations on working hours, overtime and termination procedures. The country also has a complex social security system that employers must navigate.
6. Croatia: 196 days at 100% pay
Croatia has a service-based economy with a growing tourism sector. The country has been working to improve its business environment and attract foreign investment since joining the European Union.
Croatia offers 58 weeks of paid maternity leave for employed mothers. The first 28 weeks are paid at 100% of the employee's salary, followed by a flat rate for the remaining period. Fathers are entitled to 10 days of paid paternity leave.
Employers in Croatia should be aware of the country's labor law, which provides strong protections for employees. This includes regulations on working hours, mandatory rest periods, and annual leave. The country also has a complex system of collective bargaining agreements that can affect employment terms.
7. Greece: 119 days at 100% pay
Greece has a mixed economy with a significant service sector, particularly in tourism. The country has been working to recover from economic challenges and improve its business environment.
Greece offers 43 weeks of paid maternity leave. The first 17 weeks are paid at 100% of the employee's salary, followed by a reduced rate for the remaining period. Fathers are entitled to 14 days of paid paternity leave.
Employers in Greece should be aware of the country's labor law, which provides strong protections for employees. This includes regulations on working hours, overtime and termination procedures. The country also has a complex social security system that employers must navigate.
8. Canada: 365 days at 55% pay
Canada has a highly developed mixed economy, with a balance between its service industry and natural resources sector. The country is known for its stable economic environment and high standard of living.
Canada offers up to 18 months of paid parental leave, which can be shared between parents. The standard option is 55% of the employee's salary for up to 12 months, or parents can choose an extended option of 33% for up to 18 months. This flexibility allows parents to choose the option that best suits their family's needs.
Employers in Canada should be aware of provincial labor laws, which can vary significantly across the country. Other considerations include mandatory employment insurance contributions, workers' compensation, and human rights legislation.
9. Czech Republic: 196 days at 70% pay
The Czech Republic has a developed, export-driven economy with a strong focus on manufacturing and services. The country has been working to improve its business environment and attract foreign investment over recent years.
The Czech Republic offers 28 weeks of paid maternity leave for single births and 37 weeks for multiple births. The leave is paid at 70% of the employee's salary. Fathers can take up to 7 days of paid paternity leave within the first six weeks after birth.
Employers in the Czech Republic should be familiar with the country's labor code, which provides detailed regulations on employment relationships. This includes strict rules on working hours, overtime and employee termination. The country also has a comprehensive social security system that employers must contribute to.
10. New Zealand: 182 days at a flat rate pay
New Zealand has a developed market economy with a focus on services and exports. The country is known for its business-friendly environment and high quality of life.
New Zealand offers 26 weeks of paid parental leave, which can be shared between parents. The leave is paid at a flat rate up to a maximum amount. This policy allows parents to spend valuable time with their newborn while maintaining financial stability.
Employers in New Zealand should be familiar with the country's employment relations act, which governs employment relationships. This includes regulations on minimum wage, working hours and holiday entitlements. The country also has strong health and safety regulations that employers must comply with.
Attract top talent anywhere in the world
By offering comprehensive maternity and paternity leave benefits that exceed statutory requirements, companies can distinguish themselves in the competitive global talent market. Such policies not only attract top talent but also contribute to employee retention and satisfaction. Based on this list, how does your company stack up to the top countries for maternity leave?
As the global workforce continues to evolve, companies that can navigate these varying regulations and offer competitive benefits will be best positioned for success. Have questions about your benefits offerings? Reach out to one of our global solutions advisors today to learn more.
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