Length of paid parental leave for mother 2008

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	South Korea	365 days
3	Italy	180 days
4	Luxembourg	180 days
5	Slovenia	130 days
6	Belgium	90 days
7	Norway	63 days
8	Germany	60 days
9	Sweden	60 days
10	Afghanistan	0 days
11	Albania	0 days
12	Algeria	0 days
13	Angola	0 days
14	Antigua and Barbuda	0 days
15	Argentina	0 days
16	Armenia	0 days
17	Australia	0 days
18	Austria	0 days
19	Azerbaijan	0 days
20	Bahamas	0 days
21	Bahrain	0 days
22	Bangladesh	0 days
23	Barbados	0 days
24	Belarus	0 days
25	Belize	0 days
26	Benin	0 days
27	Bhutan	0 days
28	Bolivia	0 days
29	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0 days
30	Botswana	0 days
31	Brazil	0 days
32	Brunei Darussalam	0 days
33	Bulgaria	0 days
34	Burkina Faso	0 days
35	Burundi	0 days
36	Cabo Verde	0 days
37	Cambodia	0 days
38	Cameroon	0 days
39	Canada	0 days
40	Central African Republic	0 days
41	Chad	0 days
42	Chile	0 days
43	China	0 days
44	China, Hong Kong SAR	0 days
45	Colombia	0 days
46	Comoros	0 days
47	Congo	0 days
48	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	0 days
49	Costa Rica	0 days
50	Côte d'Ivoire	0 days
51	Croatia	0 days
52	Cyprus	0 days
53	Czech Republic	0 days
54	Denmark	0 days
55	Djibouti	0 days
56	Dominica	0 days
57	Dominican Republic	0 days
58	Ecuador	0 days
59	Egypt	0 days
60	El Salvador	0 days
61	Equatorial Guinea	0 days
62	Eritrea	0 days
63	Estonia	0 days
64	Eswatini	0 days
65	Ethiopia	0 days
66	Fiji	0 days
67	Finland	0 days
68	France	0 days
69	Gabon	0 days
70	Gambia	0 days
71	Georgia	0 days
72	Ghana	0 days
73	Greece	0 days
74	Grenada	0 days
75	Guatemala	0 days
76	Guinea	0 days
77	Guinea-Bissau	0 days
78	Guyana	0 days
79	Haiti	0 days
80	Honduras	0 days
81	Hungary	0 days
82	Iceland	0 days
83	India	0 days
84	Indonesia	0 days
85	Iran	0 days
86	Iraq	0 days
87	Ireland	0 days
88	Israel	0 days
89	Jamaica	0 days
90	Japan	0 days
91	Jordan	0 days
92	Kazakhstan	0 days
93	Kenya	0 days
94	Kiribati	0 days
95	Kosovo	0 days
96	Kuwait	0 days
97	Kyrgyzstan	0 days
98	Laos	0 days
99	Latvia	0 days
100	Lebanon	0 days
101	Lesotho	0 days
102	Liberia	0 days
103	Libya	0 days
104	Lithuania	0 days
105	Madagascar	0 days
106	Malawi	0 days
107	Malaysia	0 days
108	Maldives	0 days
109	Mali	0 days
110	Malta	0 days
111	Marshall Islands	0 days
112	Mauritania	0 days
113	Mauritius	0 days
114	Mexico	0 days
115	Micronesia (Fed. States of)	0 days
116	Mongolia	0 days
117	Montenegro	0 days
118	Morocco	0 days
119	Mozambique	0 days
120	Myanmar	0 days
121	Namibia	0 days
122	Nepal	0 days
123	Netherlands	0 days
124	New Zealand	0 days
125	Nicaragua	0 days
126	Niger	0 days
127	Nigeria	0 days
128	North Macedonia	0 days
129	Oman	0 days
130	Pakistan	0 days
131	Palau	0 days
132	Panama	0 days
133	Papua New Guinea	0 days
134	Paraguay	0 days
135	Peru	0 days
136	Philippines	0 days
137	Poland	0 days
138	Portugal	0 days
139	Puerto Rico	0 days
140	Qatar	0 days
141	Republic of Moldova	0 days
142	Romania	0 days
143	Russia	0 days
144	Rwanda	0 days
145	Saint Kitts and Nevis	0 days
146	Saint Lucia	0 days
147	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	0 days
148	Samoa	0 days
149	San Marino	0 days
150	Sao Tome and Principe	0 days
151	Saudi Arabia	0 days
152	Senegal	0 days
153	Serbia	0 days
154	Seychelles	0 days
155	Sierra Leone	0 days
156	Singapore	0 days
157	Slovakia	0 days
158	Solomon Islands	0 days
159	Somalia	0 days
160	South Africa	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 critical social metric that varies significantly across the globe, impacting not only family well-being but also workforce participation. In the year 2008, this measure highlighted substantial international disparities, reflecting diverse policy approaches to gender equality and parental support. This article explores the 2008 global statistics on paid parental leave for mothers, examining the implications for societal health, workforce dynamics, and policy frameworks.

Global Disparities in Paid Parental Leave

In 2008, the length of paid parental leave for mothers revealed stark differences among countries. While Tajikistan offered the most generous leave at 478 days, many countries, including Australia, Austria, and Zimbabwe, provided no paid leave to new mothers. This disparity underscores a significant divide in how nations prioritize maternal and child welfare. On average, among the 189 countries with available data, mothers received just 8.5 days of paid leave, with a median of zero, indicating that a large number of countries offered no paid leave at all.

Policy Impact and International Comparison

The provision of paid parental leave is often a reflection of a country’s commitment to gender equality and support for working parents. For instance, South Korea, with 365 days of paid leave, exemplified progressive policy-making in 2008, focusing on both maternal health and economic participation. In contrast, countries with no paid leave, such as Afghanistan and Argentina, indicated potential areas where policy intervention could improve gender equality and workforce participation. Comparing these figures highlights not just economic disparities, but also differing cultural and policy approaches to parenthood and employment.

Workforce Participation and Economic Implications

Paid parental leave not only benefits families but also has broader economic implications. Countries providing longer parental leave, like Luxembourg and Italy with 180 days, often report higher female labor force participation rates, as such policies enable mothers to balance work and family responsibilities better. By contrast, the absence of paid leave can deter women from returning to the workforce after childbirth, potentially impacting economic growth and productivity. This relationship between policy and economic outcomes emphasizes the importance of supportive leave policies in fostering inclusive economic development.

Public Health and Societal Benefits

The societal benefits of paid parental leave extend beyond economic factors, influencing public health and child development. Extended leave allows mothers the necessary time to recover postpartum and bond with their newborns, which can lead to better health outcomes for both mother and child. Countries like Norway and Germany, offering 63 and 60 days respectively, recognize the importance of this period. Conversely, the lack of paid leave in countries like Algeria and Armenia may contribute to disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, underlining the critical role of policy in public health.

Historical Context and Long-term Trends

Examining the historical context of paid parental leave policies reveals gradual shifts toward more inclusive support systems. Although the data for 2008 showed no significant year-over-year changes in the top-ranking countries, the global trend has been toward increasing parental leave durations, influenced by international labor standards and advocacy for gender parity. This trend reflects growing recognition of the importance of parental leave in achieving sustainable social and economic goals. As more countries adopt comprehensive leave policies, future data may show reduced disparities and improved global averages.

In conclusion, the 2008 global statistics on the length of paid parental leave for mothers highlight significant international disparities with profound implications for family well-being and workforce participation. This metric serves as a critical indicator of a country's commitment to gender equality and parental support, with far-reaching effects on societal health, economic dynamics, and long-term development trends. As countries continue to evolve their policies, understanding these patterns offers valuable insights into crafting more equitable and supportive environments for families worldwide.

Insights by country

Iran

In 2008, Iran ranked 85th out of 189 countries in terms of paid parental leave for mothers, offering 0 days of paid leave. This statistic highlights a significant gap in maternity support compared to many other nations, where paid parental leave is often a standard provision.

The lack of paid parental leave in Iran can be attributed to various cultural, economic, and policy-related factors. Traditionally, the societal norms in Iran have placed the responsibility of child-rearing primarily on women, yet the absence of support from the government may limit women's participation in the workforce and exacerbate gender inequality.

Moreover, the Iranian economy has faced challenges that could affect the implementation of such policies, including sanctions and economic instability. In contrast, many countries around the world have recognized the importance of parental leave in promoting family welfare and gender equality, offering extensive paid leave periods that can range from several weeks to multiple months.

Nepal

Nepal ranked 122 out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers in the year 2008. This ranking reflects a concerning reality, as the country offered 0 days of paid parental leave, placing it at the bottom tier of global standards for maternal support.

The absence of paid parental leave in Nepal can be attributed to various factors, including economic constraints, cultural norms, and a lack of supportive labor policies. In many cases, traditional gender roles place the burden of child-rearing on women without providing adequate governmental support.

Furthermore, this statistic highlights broader issues related to maternal health and gender equality in Nepal. The lack of paid leave can negatively impact maternal and infant health outcomes, as women may be compelled to return to work prematurely, which can affect both their well-being and that of their child.

Egypt

In 2008, Egypt ranked 59th out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, which was recorded at 0 days. This statistic highlights a significant gap in parental support policies within the country, reflecting challenges in labor rights and family welfare.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to various factors, including economic constraints, cultural attitudes towards gender roles, and insufficient legislative frameworks that prioritize parental rights. Such policies are vital for promoting maternal and child health, as well as supporting women's participation in the workforce.

It is noteworthy that many countries worldwide have established paid parental leave policies to enhance family well-being, with some offering extensive leave that can last several months. The lack of such provisions in Egypt may hinder gender equality in employment and affect family dynamics, necessitating a reevaluation of existing labor laws to better support parents.

Italy

In 2008, Italy ranked third out of 189 countries for the length of paid parental leave for mothers, offering an impressive total of 180 days of leave. This policy reflects the country's commitment to supporting families and promoting maternal health during the crucial early stages of a child's life.

The length of paid parental leave in Italy can be attributed to a combination of cultural values that prioritize family welfare and the influence of European Union directives that encourage member states to adopt generous parental leave policies. Such provisions are designed to foster a healthy work-life balance and improve child development outcomes.

Additionally, it is worth noting that Italy's parental leave system is part of a broader framework aimed at enhancing gender equality in the workplace, allowing mothers to take time off without significant financial loss. This commitment to family-friendly policies is reflected in the various support programs available to parents in Italy.

Estonia

In 2008, Estonia ranked 63rd out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, offering a total of 0 days. This statistic highlights a significant gap in parental support compared to other nations, particularly those in the European Union where many countries provide extensive maternity leave.

The absence of paid parental leave in Estonia during this period can be attributed to historical and socio-economic factors, including a post-Soviet transition period that prioritized economic recovery over social welfare policies. This lack of support may have implications for family wellbeing and child development, as well as influencing women's participation in the workforce.

Interestingly, subsequent reforms in Estonia have since improved parental leave policies, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of supporting families and promoting gender equality in the workplace. As of 2023, Estonia is known for one of the most generous parental leave systems in Europe, indicating a significant shift in policy direction since 2008.

Jordan

In 2008, Jordan ranked 91 out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, offering a total of 0 days of paid leave. This statistic highlights a significant gap in parental support compared to many other nations, where paid leave is often a standard policy to promote family welfare and maternal health.

The absence of paid parental leave in Jordan can be attributed to various socio-economic factors, including cultural norms surrounding gender roles, economic constraints, and limited governmental policies aimed at supporting working mothers. Additionally, the labor market in Jordan often emphasizes immediate productivity, which may discourage parental leave provisions.

Globally, many countries have recognized the importance of parental leave for child development and maternal well-being, leading to policies that provide varying degrees of paid leave. In contrast, Jordan's policy landscape reflects ongoing challenges in balancing labor market demands with family support initiatives.

Iraq

In 2008, Iraq ranked 86 out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, with an official provision of 0 days. This lack of paid parental leave reflects broader socio-economic challenges and the impact of ongoing conflict and instability in the country, which has hindered the development of comprehensive social welfare policies.

The absence of paid parental leave can significantly affect women's participation in the workforce, family dynamics, and child health outcomes. In Iraq, cultural factors, along with limited economic resources, have also contributed to the lack of support for new mothers. As a result, women may face challenges in balancing employment with childcare responsibilities, further exacerbating gender inequalities in the labor market.

Globally, many countries have recognized the importance of paid parental leave in promoting gender equality and child welfare, with nations like Sweden and Norway offering extensive parental leave policies. The contrast highlights the need for Iraq to explore reforms that could improve support for mothers and families in the context of its unique socio-political landscape.

Guatemala

In 2008, Guatemala ranked 75th out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, with a total of 0 days allocated for this purpose. This ranking highlights the country's relatively limited support for maternal rights compared to many other nations.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to various factors, including economic constraints, cultural norms surrounding gender roles, and a lack of legislative frameworks that prioritize family welfare. In Guatemala, where many families rely on informal employment, the implementation of paid leave policies can be challenging.

Moreover, this statistic reflects broader trends in Central America, where many countries struggle with inadequate maternity benefits. As a result, maternal health outcomes and child development may be adversely affected, underscoring the need for policy reforms to support working mothers.

Indonesia

In 2008, Indonesia ranked 84th 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 labor and social welfare policies, which have historically prioritized economic growth over comprehensive family support systems.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to several factors, including limited legislative frameworks that protect workers' rights, cultural norms that may undervalue the importance of maternal care, and economic constraints that affect the government's ability to implement supportive family policies. Additionally, Indonesia's status as a developing nation often results in competing priorities that overshadow the need for parental leave legislation.

Globally, many countries have recognized the importance of paid parental leave in promoting child health and maternal well-being, leading to increases in such policies in various regions. As of 2008, Indonesia's position indicated a significant gap in family-friendly policies compared to other nations, highlighting an area for potential reform and improvement in support for working mothers.

Suriname

In 2008, Suriname ranked 166th out of 189 countries in terms of paid parental leave for mothers, with a notably low provision of 0 days. This statistic highlights the challenges faced by working mothers in Suriname, as they lack any formal support through paid leave following childbirth.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to various factors, including economic constraints, limited resources allocated to social welfare programs, and a cultural context that may prioritize immediate workforce participation over family support mechanisms. As a result, mothers may face significant difficulties balancing work and family responsibilities during the crucial early months after childbirth.

Globally, the lack of paid parental leave is associated with adverse outcomes for both maternal and child health, as well as broader societal implications regarding gender equality in the workforce. Many countries have recognized the importance of providing parental leave as a means to support families and promote gender equity in employment.

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