Length of paid parental leave for mother 2018

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	Mongolia	1,095 days
2	Tajikistan	478 days
3	South Korea	365 days
4	Japan	309 days
5	France	180 days
6	Italy	180 days
7	Luxembourg	180 days
8	Slovenia	130 days
9	Belgium	120 days
10	Croatia	120 days
11	Norway	91 days
12	Sweden	90 days
13	Germany	60 days
14	United States	56 days
15	Chile	42 days
16	Portugal	42 days
17	Romania	30 days
18	Afghanistan	0 days
19	Albania	0 days
20	Algeria	0 days
21	Angola	0 days
22	Antigua and Barbuda	0 days
23	Argentina	0 days
24	Armenia	0 days
25	Australia	0 days
26	Austria	0 days
27	Azerbaijan	0 days
28	Bahamas	0 days
29	Bahrain	0 days
30	Bangladesh	0 days
31	Barbados	0 days
32	Belarus	0 days
33	Belize	0 days
34	Benin	0 days
35	Bhutan	0 days
36	Bolivia	0 days
37	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0 days
38	Botswana	0 days
39	Brazil	0 days
40	Brunei Darussalam	0 days
41	Bulgaria	0 days
42	Burkina Faso	0 days
43	Burundi	0 days
44	Cabo Verde	0 days
45	Cambodia	0 days
46	Cameroon	0 days
47	Canada	0 days
48	Central African Republic	0 days
49	Chad	0 days
50	China	0 days
51	China, Hong Kong SAR	0 days
52	Colombia	0 days
53	Comoros	0 days
54	Congo	0 days
55	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	0 days
56	Costa Rica	0 days
57	Côte d'Ivoire	0 days
58	Cyprus	0 days
59	Czech Republic	0 days
60	Denmark	0 days
61	Djibouti	0 days
62	Dominica	0 days
63	Dominican Republic	0 days
64	Ecuador	0 days
65	Egypt	0 days
66	El Salvador	0 days
67	Equatorial Guinea	0 days
68	Eritrea	0 days
69	Estonia	0 days
70	Eswatini	0 days
71	Ethiopia	0 days
72	Fiji	0 days
73	Finland	0 days
74	Gabon	0 days
75	Gambia	0 days
76	Georgia	0 days
77	Ghana	0 days
78	Greece	0 days
79	Grenada	0 days
80	Guatemala	0 days
81	Guinea	0 days
82	Guinea-Bissau	0 days
83	Guyana	0 days
84	Haiti	0 days
85	Honduras	0 days
86	Hungary	0 days
87	Iceland	0 days
88	India	0 days
89	Indonesia	0 days
90	Iran	0 days
91	Iraq	0 days
92	Ireland	0 days
93	Israel	0 days
94	Jamaica	0 days
95	Jordan	0 days
96	Kazakhstan	0 days
97	Kenya	0 days
98	Kiribati	0 days
99	Kosovo	0 days
100	Kuwait	0 days
101	Kyrgyzstan	0 days
102	Laos	0 days
103	Latvia	0 days
104	Lebanon	0 days
105	Lesotho	0 days
106	Liberia	0 days
107	Libya	0 days
108	Lithuania	0 days
109	Madagascar	0 days
110	Malawi	0 days
111	Malaysia	0 days
112	Maldives	0 days
113	Mali	0 days
114	Malta	0 days
115	Marshall Islands	0 days
116	Mauritania	0 days
117	Mauritius	0 days
118	Mexico	0 days
119	Micronesia (Fed. States of)	0 days
120	Montenegro	0 days
121	Morocco	0 days
122	Mozambique	0 days
123	Myanmar	0 days
124	Namibia	0 days
125	Nepal	0 days
126	Netherlands	0 days
127	New Zealand	0 days
128	Nicaragua	0 days
129	Niger	0 days
130	Nigeria	0 days
131	North Macedonia	0 days
132	Oman	0 days
133	Pakistan	0 days
134	Palau	0 days
135	Panama	0 days
136	Papua New Guinea	0 days
137	Paraguay	0 days
138	Peru	0 days
139	Philippines	0 days
140	Poland	0 days
141	Puerto Rico	0 days
142	Qatar	0 days
143	Republic of Moldova	0 days
144	Russia	0 days
145	Rwanda	0 days
146	Saint Kitts and Nevis	0 days
147	Saint Lucia	0 days
148	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	0 days
149	Samoa	0 days
150	San Marino	0 days
151	Sao Tome and Principe	0 days
152	Saudi Arabia	0 days
153	Senegal	0 days
154	Serbia	0 days
155	Seychelles	0 days
156	Sierra Leone	0 days
157	Singapore	0 days
158	Slovakia	0 days
159	Solomon Islands	0 days
160	Somalia	0 days
161	South Africa	0 days
162	South Sudan	0 days
163	Spain	0 days
164	Sri Lanka	0 days
165	State of Palestine	0 days
166	Sudan	0 days
167	Suriname	0 days
168	Switzerland	0 days
169	Syrian Arab Republic	0 days
170	Tanzania	0 days
171	Thailand	0 days
172	Timor-Leste	0 days
173	Togo	0 days
174	Tonga	0 days
175	Trinidad and Tobago	0 days
176	Tunisia	0 days
177	Turkey	0 days
178	Uganda	0 days
179	Ukraine	0 days
180	United Arab Emirates	0 days
181	United Kingdom	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 significantly influences a family's economic well-being and a country's workforce dynamics. In 2018, the global landscape of paid parental leave policies varied widely, reflecting cultural, economic, and policy differences across nations. This article delves into the global statistics of paid parental leave for mothers in 2018, examining the disparities, trends, and implications of this critical social metric.

Global Overview of Paid Parental Leave in 2018

The data from 2018 reveals considerable variation in the length of paid parental leave provided to mothers worldwide. Among the 189 countries surveyed, Mongolia led with an impressive 1,095 days of paid leave. Contrastingly, several countries, including Australia, Austria, and Bangladesh, reported no paid leave days, highlighting significant disparities. The average length of paid leave globally was a modest 18.88 days, with a median of 0, indicating that many countries offered little to no paid leave.

Regional Variations and Influences

Regional differences in paid parental leave policies often reflect broader socio-economic and cultural norms. Countries in Asia, such as South Korea and Japan, offered relatively generous policies with South Korea providing 365 days and Japan 309 days. Meanwhile, European nations like Luxembourg, France, and Italy each offered 180 days, showcasing a commitment to family support. In stark contrast, many countries in Africa and the Caribbean, such as Benin and Belize, offered no paid leave, underscoring economic and policy challenges in these regions.

Policy Impact on Family and Workforce Participation

Paid parental leave policies not only support family well-being but also influence women's participation in the workforce. In countries with longer leave durations, such as Mongolia and South Korea, families benefit from improved maternal health and stronger parent-child bonds, which contribute to higher levels of workforce re-entry by mothers. Conversely, in countries with minimal or no paid leave, women often face the difficult choice of foregoing employment or sacrificing caregiving time, impacting long-term economic stability and career progression.

The economic implications of paid parental leave are profound. Longer leave durations can lead to increased job satisfaction and reduced turnover rates, benefiting employers and economies. However, the financial burden of funding such benefits remains a challenge for less affluent nations. Socially, robust leave policies can also promote gender equality by encouraging paternal involvement in early childcare, as seen in European countries with progressive parental leave schemes. In 2018, the stagnation in average leave duration changes highlighted the persistent struggle to balance economic constraints with social welfare objectives.

Future Trends and Challenges

As we look beyond 2018, the global trend towards more equitable parental leave faces both opportunities and challenges. Increasing awareness of the benefits of gender-neutral leave policies could drive policy reforms, particularly in countries with minimal support. However, economic fluctuations and political priorities could hinder progress. The challenge lies in crafting policies that facilitate economic growth while promoting social welfare, ensuring that all families, regardless of their economic status, can benefit from adequate parental leave.

The 2018 landscape of paid parental leave for mothers underscores the critical need for comprehensive policy frameworks that address both economic realities and social aspirations. As countries continue to navigate this complex terrain, the goal remains to create environments that support families and empower women in the workforce, ultimately fostering a more equitable global society.

Insights by country

Kenya

In 2018, Kenya ranked 97th out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, with an alarming provision of 0 days of paid leave. This statistic reflects broader challenges within the country's labor and social welfare policies, which often prioritize economic growth over family support systems.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to several factors, including limited government resources, a high level of informality in the labor market, and cultural norms that do not prioritize parental leave. Additionally, the Kenyan economy has historically faced pressures such as high unemployment rates and a significant informal sector, which complicate the implementation of comprehensive social welfare programs.

Interestingly, the lack of paid parental leave is a significant issue in many developing countries, where similar policies are often absent, leading to potential long-term impacts on child development and maternal health. Countries that provide paid parental leave typically see benefits in terms of improved health outcomes for both mothers and children, highlighting the importance of such policies in promoting family welfare.

Dominica

In 2018, Dominica ranked 62nd 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 support for new mothers in the country, which may impact maternal health and infant care during critical early life stages.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to various factors, including the country's economic constraints, limited resources, and a workforce primarily focused on immediate productivity rather than long-term family well-being. Such policies often reflect broader societal attitudes towards family leave and gender equality in the workplace.

In comparison, many countries worldwide provide extended paid leave, which has been shown to support better health outcomes for both mothers and children. The lack of paid parental leave in Dominica underscores the need for policy reforms to enhance family support systems and improve overall societal welfare.

Uruguay

In 2018, Uruguay ranked 182nd out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, with an alarming total of 0 days of paid leave. This statistic highlights significant gaps in maternal support compared to global standards, where many countries offer substantial leave to promote maternal and child health.

The absence of paid parental leave in Uruguay may be attributed to various socio-economic factors, including budgetary constraints, historical labor policies, and prevailing cultural attitudes towards gender roles in caregiving. As a result, mothers in Uruguay face challenges in balancing work and family responsibilities during the critical early months of a child's life.

Globally, countries with generous parental leave policies, such as Sweden and Norway, often report better outcomes in maternal health and child development, suggesting that the lack of support in Uruguay could have long-term implications on family welfare and gender equality in the workforce.

Afghanistan

In 2018, Afghanistan ranked 18 out of 189 countries regarding the provision of paid parental leave for mothers, with a notable statistic of 0 days of paid leave available. This lack of support highlights the significant challenges faced by women in the workforce, particularly in a country where traditional gender roles often limit women's participation in economic activities.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to several factors, including ongoing political instability, cultural norms that prioritize familial and domestic responsibilities over workforce participation, and limited governmental resources to implement supportive labor policies. Additionally, the economic environment in Afghanistan often requires that families rely on dual incomes, yet women frequently face barriers to employment that further complicate this dynamic.

Interestingly, this statistic places Afghanistan alongside other countries with limited parental support systems, emphasizing the global disparity in maternity benefits and the need for systemic reforms to enhance women's rights and workplace equality.

Cambodia

Cambodia ranks 45th out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers. In the year 2018, the country provided 0 days of paid leave, highlighting a significant gap in support for new mothers compared to many other nations.

This lack of paid parental leave can be attributed to various factors, including economic constraints, the prioritization of labor market competitiveness, and cultural norms that may undervalue maternity benefits. As a developing country, Cambodia faces challenges in implementing comprehensive social welfare programs, which often limits the availability of paid leave policies.

It is worth noting that many countries provide substantial paid parental leave, with some offering several months or even years, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of supporting families during the early stages of child-rearing. This disparity may impact maternal health and child development in Cambodia, as mothers may return to work immediately after childbirth due to financial necessity.

Albania

In 2018, Albania ranked 19th out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, with a striking 0 days of paid leave available. This statistic highlights a significant gap in parental support compared to many other nations, where mothers often receive extended periods of paid leave to facilitate recovery and bonding with their newborns.

The absence of paid parental leave in Albania can be attributed to various socio-economic factors, including a focus on economic development and labor market participation that may prioritize immediate workforce needs over family welfare policies. Additionally, cultural attitudes towards gender roles and family responsibilities may influence the lack of support for maternity leave.

Globally, paid parental leave policies vary widely, with many countries recognizing the importance of supporting new mothers through substantial leave allowances, which can range from several weeks to multiple years. This disparity underscores ongoing discussions about the need for improved family policies in Albania to enhance maternal health and child welfare.

Botswana

Botswana ranks 38th out of 189 countries in terms of paid parental leave for mothers, with a length of 0 days in the year 2018. This statistic highlights the lack of formal paid maternity leave provisions within the country, which may pose challenges for new mothers in balancing work and family responsibilities.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to several factors, including economic considerations and the country’s labor market policies. Botswana’s economy, while stable, may not prioritize extensive social welfare programs, leading to limited support for working mothers.

Globally, the trend towards paid parental leave has been gaining traction, with many countries recognizing its benefits for child health and family well-being. In contrast to Botswana, many nations offer substantial maternity leave, reflecting differing societal values around family support and women’s rights in the workplace.

Algeria

In 2018, Algeria ranked 20th out of 189 countries concerning the length of paid parental leave for mothers, with an official duration of 0 days. This statistic highlights the lack of formal paid maternity leave provisions within the country's labor policies, which can significantly affect women's health, labor participation, and family welfare.

The absence of paid parental leave in Algeria may be attributed to various factors, including economic constraints, cultural attitudes towards gender roles, and insufficient legislative frameworks to support working mothers. Additionally, the country's focus on economic growth and development may have overshadowed the implementation of family-friendly policies.

Globally, the issue of parental leave is crucial, as studies show that paid maternity leave can lead to improved maternal and child health outcomes, increased breastfeeding rates, and greater workforce participation among women. Algeria's standing in this area emphasizes the need for policy reform to enhance support for families and promote gender equality in the workforce.

Brazil

In 2018, Brazil ranked 39th out of 189 countries in terms of paid parental leave for mothers, offering a total of 0 days of paid leave. This statistic highlights a significant gap in support for new mothers in Brazil when compared to many other countries, which provide varying lengths of paid parental leave.

The lack of paid parental leave can be attributed to several factors, including economic constraints and a focus on informal employment, which is prevalent in Brazil. Additionally, cultural attitudes towards gender roles and family responsibilities may influence policy decisions regarding parental leave.

Interestingly, Brazil's position contrasts with many European nations, where paid parental leave can extend up to a year or more, reflecting differing societal values and government support systems for families. This discrepancy raises important discussions about the need for policy reforms to enhance maternity benefits and support for mothers in Brazil.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan ranks 27 out of 189 countries regarding the length of paid parental leave for mothers, with a reported 0 days of paid leave available in 2018. This statistic reflects the country's approach to maternal support and family policies, which may not align with global standards that typically advocate for extended parental leave to promote child development and maternal health.

The absence of paid parental leave can be attributed to several factors, including economic constraints, cultural norms regarding gender roles, and a potential lack of comprehensive family policies. In many cases, traditional views may place the burden of childcare predominantly on mothers without adequate institutional support.

In comparison, many countries have implemented paid parental leave policies to improve maternal and child health outcomes, with some nations offering up to a year or more of leave. This disparity highlights the ongoing discussions surrounding women's rights and family welfare in Azerbaijan, as well as the potential need for policy reforms to enhance support for new mothers.

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