Countries recognized for their exemplary employment policies often combine strong legal frameworks, generous benefits, and progressive labour practices. Millennials, who now make up a significant portion of the global workforce, highly value work-life balance and family support. Consequently, maternity and paternity leave policies have become crucial factors for this generation when choosing employers and career paths.
In 2024, various reports indicated that Sweden leads the way in terms of paternity leave policies. Swedish fathers are entitled to 90 days of paid paternity leave, which is part of a broader parental leave system that offers a total of 480 days (approximately 16 months) at 80% of their normal pay. This generous provision is designed to promote bonding between fathers and their children and ensure both parents can share in childcare responsibilities equitably.
Other countries with notable paternity leave policies include:
- Japan: Japanese fathers can take up to one year of paid leave, with 67% of their salary covered for the first 180 days and 50% for the remaining period. This policy aims to encourage greater paternal involvement in early child-rearing.
- Iceland: Iceland offers each parent three months of non-transferable leave, plus an additional three months that can be split between the parents, all at 80% of their salary. This structure ensures that both parents have significant time with their newborns.
- Estonia: Fathers in Estonia receive two weeks of paid leave, with parents sharing an additional 435 days of leave, compensated based on their average earnings. This extensive leave policy supports shared parental responsibilities.
- Norway: Norwegian fathers can choose between 15 weeks at full pay or 19 weeks at 80% pay. The flexibility of Norway’s system allows families to tailor their leave to their financial and personal needs.
These countries exemplify progressive approaches to paternity leave, ensuring that fathers have the opportunity to participate actively in early childcare and supporting the overall well-being of families.
Our review of maternity leave policies, highlighted a rather different outcome. Bulgaria tops the list with an impressive 58.6 weeks of maternity leave at 90% pay. This extensive period allows new mothers ample time to bond with their newborns and recover post-childbirth, significantly reducing financial strain during this critical period.
Greece offers 43 weeks of maternity leave, with a policy that supports the country’s commitment to ensuring a balance between work and family life).
The UK provides 39 weeks of maternity leave, with the first six weeks at 90% pay and the remaining period at a statutory rate.
Quarmans specialise in employment policies and have extensive global experience in supporting their clients to develop policies with impact that align with talent attraction and retention initiatives. Schedule a consultation with one of our team.
References World Population Review; World Economic Forum; Ontop Payroll; Global Data and Statistics | Data Pandas. Remote