A world tour of maternity and paternity leave: where is it good to have a baby?
Ah, parental leave! That sweet mirage that, depending on your passport, can transform you into a zen and rested parent or a caffeine-addicted zombie returning to the office with dark circles under your eyes. But thankfully, always well-dressed thanks to Milk Away's stylish and thoughtfully curated wardrobe . From one country to another, parental leave policies oscillate between nirvana and divine punishment. So, where is it good to bring a baby into the world? Spoiler alert : not everywhere.
Belgium: between beer, fries and diapers
Okay, let's be a little chauvinistic and start with Belgium. Here, mothers get 15 weeks of maternity leave , part of which can be taken before the birth. Fathers (and co-parents) are entitled to 20 days , paid at 82% for the first three days, then at 75% (with a cap). Not bad, but since we're experts at compromise, we stay within the European average without pushing too hard.
The only problem is that, depending on the sector, the administrative process can quickly resemble a treasure hunt, where the ultimate goal would be a document signed by every possible and imaginable body.
And if you're self-employed? Well, you're entitled to… "parental leave" in the form of ridiculously low benefits and a symbolic one-month allowance. Good luck managing a startup , a newborn, and the holy grail of a daycare spot . Spoiler alert : even with the best intentions, the lack of childcare options and support often makes the equation mission impossible. But we'll talk about that in a future article.
The kings of parental leave: these countries where being a parent is a national sport
Nordic countries: Parental Nirvana
If you dream of raising your baby in a cozy cocoon, head to Scandinavia. Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are excellent examples to follow:
- Sweden : 480 days of parental leave to be shared between both parents, with compensation at 80% of salary for the first 390 days. Bonus: if Dad doesn't take his share, the household loses vacation days. A clever way to encourage equality.
- Norway : 49 weeks at 100% of salary , or 59 weeks at 80% . Some take advantage of this time to raise reindeer or bake organic bread. Anything is possible with that much time off.
- Finland : 164 days for each parent , and the leave can be taken until the child is 2 years old. Because why rush when you can enjoy some peace and quiet?
In short, in Scandinavia, having a baby is almost a state mission.
Estonia: the unsung champion
Surprise: 18 months of paid parental leave at 100% of salary ! Estonia is outperforming everyone else, so much so that some Swedes are starting to look at their Eastern neighbors with envy.
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The United States: The Wild West of Parental Leave
If you thought Americans were champions of freedom (in reality, given current events, nobody believes that anymore), think again! Freedom is primarily your employer's freedom not to pay you a cent during your maternity leave . There's no federal law guaranteeing paid leave , and everything depends on the goodwill of companies. In other words, if you're not lucky enough to work at Google or Netflix, you might just give birth at your keyboard in the middle of a Zoom meeting.
Switzerland: all for finance, nothing for families
Did you think Switzerland, with its banks and chocolate, was an Eldorado ? Sorry to burst your bubble. Mothers are entitled to 14 weeks of maternity leave , and fathers… get this… two weeks . Yes, 14 days to discover that babies cry at night and that a bottle doesn't prepare itself, whether it's formula, powdered, or plant-based .
This situation will be familiar to parents in Belgium who are given just enough time to learn how to tie a baby carrier... but not really to share the parental burden in a sustainable way. And yet, we already offer some tips on sharing breastfeeding in our article dedicated to the role of the co-parent . The result: despite some progress, family organization still largely rests on the shoulders of mothers, and equality often ends once they leave the maternity ward.
France: almost modern, but not too much either
In France, mothers are entitled to 16 weeks of maternity leave , while the second parent gets 25 days , or about five weeks , part of which is mandatory (just to make sure the father sees at least one diaper change). On paper, it's more generous than in Belgium or Switzerland. In reality, the balance remains fragile: motherhood is long, fatherhood progresses… but slowly, like a baby learning to walk.
Japan: Misleading figures
Japan offers 52 weeks of paternity leave . Impressive, right? Except that in reality, only 5% of fathers dare to take it . Why? Because in a culture where presenteeism reigns supreme, a father on parental leave is quickly perceived as a tourist in the workplace.
And this huge gap between the law and real life doesn't end there: in Austria , parents can choose between 14 or 18 months of parental leave , with a minimum of two months reserved for the father . On paper, another great step forward. In reality, many fathers don't take any, or hardly any, for the same reasons: professional pressure, deeply ingrained social norms, and, let's be frank, a still very prevalent sexism . The moral of the story: when the culture doesn't keep up, even the best policies remain in diapers.
Emerging trends: a hope for the future?
- The extension of paternity leave : in Spain and France, fathers now benefit from 16 to 28 days of leave , a slow but certain progress.
- Flexible parental leave : Germany allows parents to adjust their 14 months of leave according to their needs.
- Pioneering companies : some private companies, like Spotify and Patagonia, offer up to 6 months of fully paid parental leave . Proof that where there's a will, there's a way.
In short, if you want to take your time with your baby, head to Scandinavia or Estonia. If you enjoy challenges and immediate all-nighters, try your luck in the United States or Switzerland. As for Belgium, let's just say it's about average… with the added bonus of fries to satisfy those post-breastfeeding cravings!
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Photo credit: Unsplash - Ishak Raman
