Length of paid parental leave for mother 1972

Discover how the length of paid parental leave for mothers varies by country, impacting family well-being and workforce participation. Explore the statistics that highlight this critical social issue.

189 data points•Updated 11/26/2025•World•Women, Business and the Law, World Bank (WB)•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1	Afghanistan	0 days
2	Albania	0 days
3	Algeria	0 days
4	Angola	0 days
5	Antigua and Barbuda	0 days
6	Argentina	0 days
7	Armenia	0 days
8	Australia	0 days
9	Austria	0 days
10	Azerbaijan	0 days
11	Bahamas	0 days
12	Bahrain	0 days
13	Bangladesh	0 days
14	Barbados	0 days
15	Belarus	0 days
16	Belgium	0 days
17	Belize	0 days
18	Benin	0 days
19	Bhutan	0 days
20	Bolivia	0 days
21	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0 days
22	Botswana	0 days
23	Brazil	0 days
24	Brunei Darussalam	0 days
25	Bulgaria	0 days
26	Burkina Faso	0 days
27	Burundi	0 days
28	Cabo Verde	0 days
29	Cambodia	0 days
30	Cameroon	0 days
31	Canada	0 days
32	Central African Republic	0 days
33	Chad	0 days
34	Chile	0 days
35	China	0 days
36	China, Hong Kong SAR	0 days
37	Colombia	0 days
38	Comoros	0 days
39	Congo	0 days
40	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	0 days
41	Costa Rica	0 days
42	Côte d'Ivoire	0 days
43	Croatia	0 days
44	Cyprus	0 days
45	Czech Republic	0 days
46	Denmark	0 days
47	Djibouti	0 days
48	Dominica	0 days
49	Dominican Republic	0 days
50	Ecuador	0 days
51	Egypt	0 days
52	El Salvador	0 days
53	Equatorial Guinea	0 days
54	Eritrea	0 days
55	Estonia	0 days
56	Eswatini	0 days
57	Ethiopia	0 days
58	Fiji	0 days
59	Finland	0 days
60	France	0 days
61	Gabon	0 days
62	Gambia	0 days
63	Georgia	0 days
64	Germany	0 days
65	Ghana	0 days
66	Greece	0 days
67	Grenada	0 days
68	Guatemala	0 days
69	Guinea	0 days
70	Guinea-Bissau	0 days
71	Guyana	0 days
72	Haiti	0 days
73	Honduras	0 days
74	Hungary	0 days
75	Iceland	0 days
76	India	0 days
77	Indonesia	0 days
78	Iran	0 days
79	Iraq	0 days
80	Ireland	0 days
81	Israel	0 days
82	Italy	0 days
83	Jamaica	0 days
84	Japan	0 days
85	Jordan	0 days
86	Kazakhstan	0 days
87	Kenya	0 days
88	Kiribati	0 days
89	Kosovo	0 days
90	Kuwait	0 days
91	Kyrgyzstan	0 days
92	Laos	0 days
93	Latvia	0 days
94	Lebanon	0 days
95	Lesotho	0 days
96	Liberia	0 days
97	Libya	0 days
98	Lithuania	0 days
99	Luxembourg	0 days
100	Madagascar	0 days
101	Malawi	0 days
102	Malaysia	0 days
103	Maldives	0 days
104	Mali	0 days
105	Malta	0 days
106	Marshall Islands	0 days
107	Mauritania	0 days
108	Mauritius	0 days
109	Mexico	0 days
110	Micronesia (Fed. States of)	0 days
111	Mongolia	0 days
112	Montenegro	0 days
113	Morocco	0 days
114	Mozambique	0 days
115	Myanmar	0 days
116	Namibia	0 days
117	Nepal	0 days
118	Netherlands	0 days
119	New Zealand	0 days
120	Nicaragua	0 days
121	Niger	0 days
122	Nigeria	0 days
123	North Macedonia	0 days
124	Norway	0 days
125	Oman	0 days
126	Pakistan	0 days
127	Palau	0 days
128	Panama	0 days
129	Papua New Guinea	0 days
130	Paraguay	0 days
131	Peru	0 days
132	Philippines	0 days
133	Poland	0 days
134	Portugal	0 days
135	Puerto Rico	0 days
136	Qatar	0 days
137	Republic of Moldova	0 days
138	Romania	0 days
139	Russia	0 days
140	Rwanda	0 days
141	Saint Kitts and Nevis	0 days
142	Saint Lucia	0 days
143	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	0 days
144	Samoa	0 days
145	San Marino	0 days
146	Sao Tome and Principe	0 days
147	Saudi Arabia	0 days
148	Senegal	0 days
149	Serbia	0 days
150	Seychelles	0 days
151	Sierra Leone	0 days
152	Singapore	0 days
153	Slovakia	0 days
154	Slovenia	0 days
155	Solomon Islands	0 days
156	Somalia	0 days
157	South Africa	0 days
158	South Korea	0 days
159	South Sudan	0 days
160	Spain	0 days
161	Sri Lanka	0 days
162	State of Palestine	0 days
163	Sudan	0 days
164	Suriname	0 days
165	Sweden	0 days
166	Switzerland	0 days
167	Syrian Arab Republic	0 days
168	Tajikistan	0 days
169	Tanzania	0 days
170	Thailand	0 days
171	Timor-Leste	0 days
172	Togo	0 days
173	Tonga	0 days
174	Trinidad and Tobago	0 days
175	Tunisia	0 days
176	Turkey	0 days
177	Uganda	0 days
178	Ukraine	0 days
179	United Arab Emirates	0 days
180	United Kingdom	0 days
181	United States	0 days
182	Uruguay	0 days
183	Uzbekistan	0 days
184	Vanuatu	0 days
185	Venezuela	0 days
186	Vietnam	0 days
187	Yemen	0 days
188	Zambia	0 days
189	Zimbabwe	0 days

↑Top 10 Countries

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

The concept of paid parental leave is a critical societal issue, impacting family dynamics and gender equality across the globe. In 1972, the notion of paid parental leave for mothers was virtually non-existent as evidenced by the global statistics of the time. This article delves into the context and significance of this metric, exploring its implications and the absence of such policies in that era.

Historical Context of Parental Leave in 1972

In 1972, the global landscape of parental leave policies was starkly different from what we see today. The absence of paid parental leave for mothers in all 189 countries surveyed reflects a time when such social policies were yet to gain momentum. This era, marked by burgeoning movements for women's rights and gender equality, laid the groundwork for future policy advancements, even as immediate changes were slow to manifest. The stark absence of any form of paid leave underscores a period where maternal and child welfare were beginning to attract attention but had not yet translated into concrete policy measures.

Regional Variations and Societal Impacts

The data from 1972 indicates a universal absence of paid parental leave for mothers across all regions, from developed nations like the United States and the United Kingdom to developing countries such as Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. This uniformity in policy, or lack thereof, highlights a global neglect of maternal health and family support systems. The societal impact of this across different regions was profound, influencing gender roles, family structures, and workforce participation. In many countries, the lack of support forced women to choose between career advancement and family care, perpetuating gender disparities in the workplace and beyond.

Policy Discourse and Emerging Advocacy

The 1970s were a pivotal decade for policy discourse surrounding gender equality and family welfare. Although the data from 1972 shows no countries providing paid parental leave, this period was critical in setting the stage for future reforms. Advocacy groups and international organizations began to emphasize the importance of supporting mothers post-childbirth, recognizing the long-term benefits for families and societies. Discussions were emerging in legislative and public spheres about the necessity of institutional support for working mothers, which eventually contributed to policy changes in subsequent decades.

Economic Considerations and Workforce Dynamics

The absence of paid parental leave in 1972 was not just a social oversight but also an economic consideration. At the time, many countries were grappling with economic challenges, prioritizing industrial growth and workforce productivity without considering the implications of neglecting family support policies. The lack of paid leave contributed to lower female workforce participation, as women were often forced to leave their jobs to care for newborns. This not only affected household incomes but also limited the economic potential of nations by underutilizing a significant portion of the workforce.

Looking Forward: The Evolution of Parental Leave Policies

While 1972 marked a period of deficiency in parental leave policies, it also served as a catalyst for change. The ensuing decades saw remarkable shifts, with countries increasingly adopting and expanding parental leave provisions. Today's landscape, markedly different, is a testament to the social and political efforts initiated in the early 1970s. As nations continue to refine and implement more inclusive family policies, the lessons from 1972 remain relevant, reminding us of the importance of prioritizing parental support to foster equitable and prosperous societies.

In conclusion, the global data from 1972 highlights a significant gap in paid parental leave for mothers, reflecting the nascent stage of social welfare policies aimed at supporting family well-being. The journey from this point to the present has been shaped by persistent advocacy, policy innovation, and an increasing recognition of the vital role that such support systems play in achieving gender equality and economic prosperity.

Insights by country

Somalia

In 1972, Somalia ranked 156th out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, offering a total of 0 days. This statistic reflects the broader socio-economic challenges faced by the country at the time, including ongoing political instability and a lack of comprehensive social welfare systems.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to multiple factors, including limited government resources, cultural norms prioritizing immediate economic contributions over familial support, and the aftermath of colonial rule that left many institutions underdeveloped. These challenges have historically hindered the establishment of supportive policies for mothers and families.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that many countries, particularly in the developing world, have struggled with similar issues, leading to significant disparities in maternal support and child welfare across regions. The lack of paid parental leave not only affects maternal health but can also have long-term implications for child development and family dynamics.

Vanuatu

In 1972, Vanuatu ranked 184th out of 189 countries in terms of paid parental leave for mothers, with a total of 0 days allocated for this benefit. This statistic reflects a broader context of limited social support systems for families in the country during that period, indicative of a societal structure that prioritized economic factors over family welfare.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to various factors, including the country's economic conditions, which were heavily influenced by colonial legacies and a focus on primary industries such as agriculture and fishing. Limited governmental resources and a lack of developmental policies aimed at supporting family welfare likely contributed to this statistic.

Additionally, Vanuatu's geographical isolation and small population may have influenced the development of social policies, resulting in a system that did not prioritize parental leave. Today, discussions around improving family support systems, including parental leave, continue to be relevant as Vanuatu seeks to enhance the well-being of its citizens.

Vietnam

In 1972, Vietnam ranked 186th out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, offering a total of 0 days. This stark statistic reflects the socio-political context of the country during the early 1970s, a period marked by the Vietnam War, which significantly influenced social policies and economic conditions.

The lack of paid parental leave can be attributed to the economic struggles and the prioritization of wartime efforts over social welfare programs. During this time, the government focused on mobilizing resources for the war effort, which left little room for the development of family-friendly policies.

Moreover, the absence of paid parental leave in Vietnam during this period contrasts sharply with current global trends, where many countries recognize the importance of supporting mothers and families. As of recent years, Vietnam has made strides in enhancing parental leave policies, but the 1972 figure underscores the historical challenges faced in achieving gender equality and family support.

Ukraine

In 1972, Ukraine ranked 178 out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, offering a total of 0 days of paid leave. This stark statistic reflects the broader socio-economic and political context of the time, particularly during the Soviet era, when state policies often prioritized labor output over family welfare.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to the centralized economic policies of the Soviet Union, which emphasized production efficiency and often neglected social welfare initiatives. This prioritization limited support systems for families, particularly new mothers, impacting child-rearing practices and women's roles within the workforce.

In contrast to this period, many countries today recognize the importance of parental leave for both maternal and child health, leading to a global trend toward more supportive policies. For instance, countries with robust parental leave benefits often report improved health outcomes for mothers and children, as well as enhanced workforce participation among women.

Uruguay

In 1972, Uruguay ranked 182 out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, offering a total of 0 days of paid leave. This absence of paid parental leave reflects a broader trend in the region during that period, where many countries had not yet established comprehensive social welfare systems to support working mothers.

The lack of paid parental leave in Uruguay can be attributed to several factors, including economic constraints, cultural attitudes towards gender roles, and a limited understanding of the benefits of parental leave for child development and family well-being. Additionally, during the early 1970s, Uruguay was experiencing political and economic turbulence, which may have hindered the implementation of progressive labor policies.

It is noteworthy that in the decades following 1972, many countries, including Uruguay, began to recognize the importance of parental leave, leading to significant reforms aimed at supporting families, improving workforce participation among women, and enhancing child health outcomes.

Austria

In 1972, Austria ranked 9th out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, offering a notably low provision of 0 days. This statistic reflects a period in which many countries had yet to establish comprehensive parental leave policies, particularly for mothers, indicating a societal emphasis on traditional family structures where women were often expected to return to work shortly after childbirth.

The absence of paid parental leave in Austria during this time can be attributed to various factors, including economic considerations, prevailing gender roles, and a lack of legislative support for family-friendly policies. While many European countries were beginning to develop more progressive labor laws, Austria's policies were lagging behind, which may have influenced women's participation in the workforce and their overall economic independence.

In contrast to 1972, contemporary parental leave policies in Austria have evolved significantly, promoting longer and more inclusive leave periods, reflecting changing societal values towards family and gender equality. This shift underscores the importance of policy development in supporting parental rights and fostering a balanced work-life environment.

Dominican Republic

In 1972, the Dominican Republic offered 0 days of paid parental leave for mothers, positioning the country at 49th out of 189 countries in terms of parental leave policies. This lack of statutory paid leave reflects broader socio-economic conditions and labor policies prevalent during that era.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to several factors, including a developing economy, limited social safety nets, and a workforce primarily engaged in informal employment, which often lacks protections associated with formal labor laws. Additionally, cultural norms regarding family and gender roles may have influenced policymakers' decisions regarding parental leave provisions.

Interestingly, many countries around this time were beginning to recognize the importance of family support policies, leading to shifts in labor laws in subsequent decades. The global trend towards enhancing parental leave has been driven by growing awareness of child welfare and gender equality, highlighting the significant evolution in policies since 1972.

Estonia

In 1972, Estonia ranked 55th out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, with a total of 0 days of leave offered. This absence of paid parental leave was reflective of the socio-economic and political context of the time, as Estonia was under Soviet rule, which often prioritized economic productivity over family welfare policies.

The lack of parental leave may have been influenced by the Soviet Union's labor policies, which emphasized workforce participation and limited support for family-related benefits. Additionally, societal norms during this period did not prioritize parental leave, reflecting a broader trend across many Eastern Bloc countries.

Interestingly, many countries have since recognized the importance of parental leave in promoting family health and welfare, leading to significant reforms in parental leave policies globally. Estonia, in particular, has made substantial progress in subsequent decades, evidencing a shift towards more supportive family policies.

Singapore

In 1972, Singapore ranked 152nd out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, with a striking 0 days of leave available. This statistic reflects the country's nascent stage in developing family-friendly policies and support systems for working mothers during that period.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to Singapore's rapid economic growth and the prioritization of workforce participation over family welfare at the time. The government focused on industrialization and attracting foreign investment, often placing less emphasis on social welfare policies.

Interestingly, this lack of parental leave contrasts sharply with contemporary standards, where Singapore has made significant strides in enhancing maternity benefits, reflecting changing societal values and the importance of supporting families in the workforce.

Sudan

In 1972, Sudan ranked 163rd out of 189 countries in terms of paid parental leave for mothers, offering a total of 0 days of paid leave. This lack of provision reflects broader socio-economic challenges within the country during that period, including limited resources and a prevailing focus on economic recovery following years of conflict and instability.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to several factors, including the country's economic constraints, cultural attitudes towards gender roles, and insufficient legal frameworks supporting maternity rights. Moreover, the emphasis on traditional family structures often placed the burden of childcare predominantly on women without institutional support.

Interestingly, this situation contrasts with global trends, where many countries were beginning to recognize the importance of parental leave as a means to support families and promote gender equality in the workforce. As of the early 1970s, many nations had started implementing more progressive policies regarding parental leave, highlighting the disparities in maternal support systems worldwide.

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