Length of paid parental leave for mother 1999

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	Tajikistan	478 days
2	Luxembourg	180 days
3	Belgium	90 days
4	Norway	63 days
5	Sweden	30 days
6	Afghanistan	0 days
7	Albania	0 days
8	Algeria	0 days
9	Angola	0 days
10	Antigua and Barbuda	0 days
11	Argentina	0 days
12	Armenia	0 days
13	Australia	0 days
14	Austria	0 days
15	Azerbaijan	0 days
16	Bahamas	0 days
17	Bahrain	0 days
18	Bangladesh	0 days
19	Barbados	0 days
20	Belarus	0 days
21	Belize	0 days
22	Benin	0 days
23	Bhutan	0 days
24	Bolivia	0 days
25	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0 days
26	Botswana	0 days
27	Brazil	0 days
28	Brunei Darussalam	0 days
29	Bulgaria	0 days
30	Burkina Faso	0 days
31	Burundi	0 days
32	Cabo Verde	0 days
33	Cambodia	0 days
34	Cameroon	0 days
35	Canada	0 days
36	Central African Republic	0 days
37	Chad	0 days
38	Chile	0 days
39	China	0 days
40	China, Hong Kong SAR	0 days
41	Colombia	0 days
42	Comoros	0 days
43	Congo	0 days
44	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	0 days
45	Costa Rica	0 days
46	Côte d'Ivoire	0 days
47	Croatia	0 days
48	Cyprus	0 days
49	Czech Republic	0 days
50	Denmark	0 days
51	Djibouti	0 days
52	Dominica	0 days
53	Dominican Republic	0 days
54	Ecuador	0 days
55	Egypt	0 days
56	El Salvador	0 days
57	Equatorial Guinea	0 days
58	Eritrea	0 days
59	Estonia	0 days
60	Eswatini	0 days
61	Ethiopia	0 days
62	Fiji	0 days
63	Finland	0 days
64	France	0 days
65	Gabon	0 days
66	Gambia	0 days
67	Georgia	0 days
68	Germany	0 days
69	Ghana	0 days
70	Greece	0 days
71	Grenada	0 days
72	Guatemala	0 days
73	Guinea	0 days
74	Guinea-Bissau	0 days
75	Guyana	0 days
76	Haiti	0 days
77	Honduras	0 days
78	Hungary	0 days
79	Iceland	0 days
80	India	0 days
81	Indonesia	0 days
82	Iran	0 days
83	Iraq	0 days
84	Ireland	0 days
85	Israel	0 days
86	Italy	0 days
87	Jamaica	0 days
88	Japan	0 days
89	Jordan	0 days
90	Kazakhstan	0 days
91	Kenya	0 days
92	Kiribati	0 days
93	Kosovo	0 days
94	Kuwait	0 days
95	Kyrgyzstan	0 days
96	Laos	0 days
97	Latvia	0 days
98	Lebanon	0 days
99	Lesotho	0 days
100	Liberia	0 days
101	Libya	0 days
102	Lithuania	0 days
103	Madagascar	0 days
104	Malawi	0 days
105	Malaysia	0 days
106	Maldives	0 days
107	Mali	0 days
108	Malta	0 days
109	Marshall Islands	0 days
110	Mauritania	0 days
111	Mauritius	0 days
112	Mexico	0 days
113	Micronesia (Fed. States of)	0 days
114	Mongolia	0 days
115	Montenegro	0 days
116	Morocco	0 days
117	Mozambique	0 days
118	Myanmar	0 days
119	Namibia	0 days
120	Nepal	0 days
121	Netherlands	0 days
122	New Zealand	0 days
123	Nicaragua	0 days
124	Niger	0 days
125	Nigeria	0 days
126	North Macedonia	0 days
127	Oman	0 days
128	Pakistan	0 days
129	Palau	0 days
130	Panama	0 days
131	Papua New Guinea	0 days
132	Paraguay	0 days
133	Peru	0 days
134	Philippines	0 days
135	Poland	0 days
136	Portugal	0 days
137	Puerto Rico	0 days
138	Qatar	0 days
139	Republic of Moldova	0 days
140	Romania	0 days
141	Russia	0 days
142	Rwanda	0 days
143	Saint Kitts and Nevis	0 days
144	Saint Lucia	0 days
145	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	0 days
146	Samoa	0 days
147	San Marino	0 days
148	Sao Tome and Principe	0 days
149	Saudi Arabia	0 days
150	Senegal	0 days
151	Serbia	0 days
152	Seychelles	0 days
153	Sierra Leone	0 days
154	Singapore	0 days
155	Slovakia	0 days
156	Slovenia	0 days
157	Solomon Islands	0 days
158	Somalia	0 days
159	South Africa	0 days
160	South Korea	0 days
161	South Sudan	0 days
162	Spain	0 days
163	Sri Lanka	0 days
164	State of Palestine	0 days
165	Sudan	0 days
166	Suriname	0 days
167	Switzerland	0 days
168	Syrian Arab Republic	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 length of paid parental leave for mothers is a significant measure that impacts family well-being and workforce participation worldwide. In 1999, the global landscape of maternity leave policies varied greatly, highlighting disparities in social and economic priorities across different nations. This article delves into the global statistics of paid parental leave for mothers, focusing on key trends, regional comparisons, and policy implications.

Regional Disparities in Maternity Leave

The data from 1999 reveals significant regional disparities in the length of paid parental leave for mothers. With a maximum value of 478 days, Tajikistan stands out as the country offering the longest paid leave, a stark contrast to the majority of countries, including Australia, Armenia, and Austria, which provide no paid leave at all. This wide range underscores differing national priorities, where some countries emphasize family support, while others may prioritize economic activity by limiting time away from work.

In Europe, Luxembourg and Belgium are notable for providing substantial paid leave durations of 180 and 90 days, respectively. These policies are often aligned with broader social welfare systems that aim to support family growth and gender equality in the workforce. Meanwhile, countries like Norway and Sweden, known for progressive social policies, offer 63 and 30 days, respectively, reflecting a balanced approach between parental leave and returning to work.

Socio-Economic Implications

The variance in maternity leave policies has profound socio-economic implications. Longer paid parental leave, as seen in Tajikistan, can enhance family health and child development by allowing mothers to bond with their newborns. It can also support maternal health by reducing stress and postpartum complications. Countries with generous leave policies often witness higher female workforce participation rates in the long term, as these policies mitigate the career penalties associated with motherhood.

Conversely, the absence of paid leave in countries like Argentina and Yemen can exacerbate gender inequalities, as women may be forced to choose between returning to work prematurely or sacrificing income. This lack of support can lead to higher dropout rates from the workforce among mothers, affecting economic growth and perpetuating cycles of poverty.

Policy Evolution and Global Trends

Globally, 1999 was a year where many countries were beginning to recognize the importance of parental leave. However, the average length of paid leave stood at a mere 4.45 days, highlighting how nascent the concept was compared to today’s standards. This average reflects the dominant trend of providing no leave, prevalent in many parts of Africa and Asia, where financial constraints and economic priorities may override social welfare considerations.

Countries like Sweden and Norway, despite offering moderate lengths of paid leave, were at the forefront of evolving policies, focusing on gender equality and shared parental responsibilities. These nations often serve as models for others looking to reform maternity leave policies, balancing economic productivity with family welfare.

Policy Impacts on Workforce Participation

The impact of maternity leave policies on workforce participation is significant. Research indicates that adequate leave can facilitate higher female labor force participation and reduce gender wage gaps. In 1999, countries like Belgium and Luxembourg, with their relatively generous leave policies, were already seeing the positive effects on women's economic engagement and overall gender equality.

However, in nations with no provision for paid leave, the lack of support can deter women from re-entering the workforce, contributing to labor shortages and reduced economic diversity. This dynamic underscores the critical role that government policies play in shaping workforce demographics and economic resilience.

Future Directions and Considerations

As of 1999, the global landscape of paid parental leave for mothers was diverse, with trends indicating a slow but growing recognition of the importance of supporting new mothers. Going forward, countries without paid leave may look to models like those in Europe to create more inclusive policies that bolster family health and economic participation.

International discussions and agreements, such as those facilitated by the International Labour Organization, continue to promote the benefits of paid parental leave. Future directions likely include extending leave durations and incorporating paternity leave to encourage shared parenting responsibilities, thereby promoting gender equality and economic stability.

In conclusion, the length of paid parental leave for mothers in 1999 underscores the varying levels of commitment to family welfare and workforce participation across the globe. Understanding these dynamics is crucial as nations strive to create policies that support both economic growth and family health, ensuring that no mother is left behind in the pursuit of gender equality and societal well-being.

Insights by country

Solomon Islands

In 1999, the Solomon Islands ranked 157th out of 189 countries in terms of paid parental leave for mothers, offering a total of 0 days of paid leave. This statistic highlights the country's lack of formal support for working mothers during the crucial period of childbirth and early child-rearing.

The absence of paid parental leave may be influenced by various factors, including the Solomon Islands' economic conditions, limited resources, and a predominance of informal employment. Additionally, cultural attitudes towards gender roles and family care may contribute to the low prioritization of maternal leave policies.

Globally, the lack of paid parental leave is often associated with negative outcomes for child health and maternal well-being, emphasizing the importance of such policies in promoting family stability and economic security. As of 1999, many countries were still in the process of recognizing the critical need for paid parental leave, with many developing nations lagging behind in policy implementation.

Mongolia

In 1999, Mongolia ranked 114th out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, providing 0 days of paid leave. This statistic highlights the limited support for new mothers in the country during that period, reflecting broader challenges in social welfare and family policies.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to various factors, including a transitional economy following the collapse of the Soviet Union, which left the country grappling with economic instability and prioritizing immediate economic recovery over social welfare programs. Additionally, cultural norms and traditional family structures may have influenced governmental policies regarding parental leave.

It is noteworthy that during the late 1990s, many countries around the world were beginning to recognize the importance of parental leave for child development and women's rights, underscoring the disparity in policies that Mongolia faced compared to other nations at that time.

Philippines

In 1999, the Philippines ranked 134 out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, with an alarming 0 days allocated for this crucial benefit. This absence of paid parental leave reflects broader issues within the country's labor policies, which historically have not prioritized family support and welfare.

The lack of paid parental leave can be attributed to several factors, including a focus on economic growth over social welfare programs and limited legislative support for women's rights in the workplace. Furthermore, the cultural emphasis on familial structures often places the burden of child-rearing on families rather than the state.

It is noteworthy that in many Southeast Asian countries during this period, paid parental leave policies were similarly underdeveloped, highlighting a regional trend influenced by economic conditions and social norms regarding gender roles and family responsibilities.

Mozambique

In 1999, Mozambique ranked 117th out of 189 countries in terms of paid parental leave for mothers, offering a total of 0 days of paid leave. This lack of statutory paid maternity leave reflects broader challenges within the country's labor policies and social welfare systems, which have historically struggled to provide comprehensive support for working mothers.

Several factors contribute to this situation, including economic constraints, a focus on informal labor markets, and limited governmental resources to implement and enforce labor laws. Mozambique, recovering from years of conflict and economic instability, has often prioritized urgent economic development over social protections, impacting maternal health and family welfare.

Interestingly, the absence of paid parental leave can have significant implications for child health and maternal well-being, as studies show that maternity leave is associated with better outcomes in both areas. The situation in Mozambique contrasts sharply with global trends, where many countries have adopted policies to ensure paid parental leave as a means of supporting families and promoting gender equality in the workforce.

Myanmar

In 1999, Myanmar ranked 118th out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, with a provision of 0 days. This statistic highlights a significant gap in parental support policies compared to many other nations, reflecting broader social and economic challenges within the country.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to various factors, including a lack of legislative frameworks prioritizing family welfare, ongoing economic hardships, and limited governmental resources to implement such policies. Additionally, Myanmar's historical context of military rule and economic isolation has hindered the development of comprehensive social safety nets.

It is noteworthy that in many countries, paid parental leave is associated with better health outcomes for both mothers and infants, as well as increased workforce participation of women. The lack of such policies in Myanmar may contribute to challenges in gender equality and workforce participation rates, which are critical for the country's long-term economic development.

Nicaragua

In 1999, Nicaragua ranked 123rd out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, offering a total of 0 days. This lack of paid leave reflects broader challenges within the country's social welfare policies and labor rights protections.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to several factors, including economic constraints, limited governmental resources, and a historical emphasis on labor laws that do not prioritize family support mechanisms. Additionally, Nicaragua's economy has faced significant instability, which may have influenced policymakers to deprioritize parental benefits in favor of immediate economic needs.

Interestingly, other countries in Central America have also faced similar challenges, with many offering limited parental leave options, which can affect maternal health and child development outcomes across the region.

Lithuania

In 1999, Lithuania ranked 102nd 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 was indicative of the economic challenges the country faced during the post-Soviet transition period, which included significant restructuring of social welfare systems.

The lack of paid parental leave can be attributed to various factors, including the prioritization of economic recovery and the establishment of a market economy, which often led to limited social support for families. As Lithuania navigated its independence and sought to stabilize its economy, social policies, particularly those affecting family welfare, were not fully developed or prioritized.

Interestingly, this situation contrasts sharply with the later developments in Lithuania's parental leave policies, which have evolved to provide more comprehensive support for families, reflecting broader European trends towards enhancing parental rights and child welfare.

Palau

In 1999, Palau ranked 129th out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, offering 0 days of paid leave. This statistic reflects a broader context in which many Pacific Island nations face challenges in implementing comprehensive social welfare policies, particularly in support of new parents.

The absence of paid parental leave in Palau can be attributed to various factors, including limited economic resources, a smaller population that may not support extensive welfare programs, and cultural attitudes towards family and work. Additionally, the reliance on tourism and fisheries as key economic drivers may limit the government's capacity to allocate funds for such benefits.

Interestingly, many countries in the region have similar challenges, with varying degrees of parental leave policies. This highlights a significant opportunity for Palau to consider reforms that could enhance family support and promote gender equality in the workforce.

Malaysia

In 1999, Malaysia ranked 105 out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, which was recorded at 0 days. This absence of paid maternity leave reflects broader socio-economic dynamics and labor policies prevalent in the country during that period.

The lack of paid parental leave can be attributed to several factors, including a developing economy with a focus on industrialization, which often prioritizes labor flexibility over worker benefits. Additionally, cultural norms and the historical context of women's roles in the workforce may have contributed to minimal policy advancements in this area.

Interestingly, many countries around the world, particularly in Europe, were implementing extensive parental leave policies at that time, highlighting a significant disparity in maternal support systems globally. The situation in Malaysia underscores the challenges faced by working mothers in balancing professional responsibilities and family needs without institutional support.

Saint Lucia

In 1999, Saint Lucia ranked 144th out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, with a notable 0 days of paid leave. This statistic reflects the country's limited support for parental leave policies, which can significantly impact the well-being of mothers and their newborns.

The absence of paid parental leave in Saint Lucia during this period may be attributed to various factors, including economic constraints, a focus on other social policies, and potential cultural attitudes towards maternal responsibilities. Such a lack of support can deter workforce participation among women and may adversely affect child health and development.

Globally, many countries have recognized the importance of parental leave, with numerous nations implementing policies that provide several weeks to months of paid leave to new mothers, highlighting a significant disparity in maternal support systems. This context underlines the challenges faced by mothers in Saint Lucia in comparison to their counterparts in countries with more robust parental leave frameworks.

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