International Maternity Leave Information

INTERNATIONAL

International Maternity Leave Information

Fairygodboss
Fairygodboss
Updated: 10/19/2021

How Much Leave Do New Parents Get in Other Countries?

 Courtesy of our friends at ThinkProgress, there is greater public awareness that the United States is one of 2 other countries that are members of the 185-member OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) that do not offer any form of pay during maternity leave. In not offering any paid leave for American mothers, the U.S. keeps company with Oman and Papua New Guinea. Their two info-graphics and great article compare national policies:
 
Map of How US Compares to Other Countries on Paid Leave
Map of How US Compares to Developed Countries on Paid Leave
 
This infographic shows the maternity leave policies of 39 major countries, including information about how much of the leave is paid, versus partially paid or completely unpaid. For further information including paternity leave by country, you can visit GetVoIP's blog post about parental leave.

Maternity Leave by Country

Who Pays for the Benefit?

According to this report by the International Labor Organization, of the countries offering nationally mandated paid maternity benefits, 58% offer payments via national security schemes (i.e. schemes where employees pay into the system in order to reap the benefits), 45% do so via employer payments, and 16% do so via a joint social security and employer benefit scheme.
Source of maternity leave funding

In the United States, where three states offer some form of maternity leave payment, funds are provided via employee payroll deductions.

See what employers offer and how they compare in terms of their parental and maternity leave policies.
 

Fairygodboss logo

Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women. 
Join us by reviewing your employer!

Why women love us:

  • Daily articles on career topics
  • Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
  • Advice and support from an authentic community
  • Events that help you level up in your career
  • Free membership, always