The United States is the only country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to provide zero paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave at the federal government level. Any paid parental leave is either an added employer benefit or taken from the employee’s personal or sick leave. Some states have taken it upon themselves to enact laws mandating some form of parental leave. Compared to the rest of the world, the US doesn’t compete when it comes to guaranteed paid parental leave.
Lithuania
Nordic countries get a lot of attention for their generous leave policies, but Lithuania may beat them all.
New moms get 18 weeks of fully paid leave while new fathers get four weeks, and together the parents get an additional 156 weeks to share.
Spain
Spain is one of the leaders when it comes to equality between both parents in Europe. In January 2021, paternity leave was extended to 16 weeks. This time is fully paid and is equal to paid maternity leave in the country.
Sweden
Sweden uses the term parental leave, and there is no disparity between the time each parent gets off. Parents are entitled to 480 days paid parental leave between them, with each parent entitled to 240 of these days. 90 of the days are reserved exclusively for each one. If either parent decides not to take those 90 days, they can’t be transferred to the other parent. A single parent is entitled to the full 480 days.
Iceland
Icelandic parents can split their 12 months of post-childbirth leave straight down the middle.
New dads get five months, and then it's up to the couple to decide how they'll split the remaining two months. Neither parent can transfer any portion of their three-month chunk, however, as the government wants to ensure both parents can work and that kids get to spend time with both.
Slovenia
In Slovenia, Fathers have the right to 30 days of paternity leave; paternity benefit amounts to 100 % of the basis and may not be more than 2.5 times the amount of the average monthly wage.
Mothers and fathers are entitled to 130 days of parental leave each (altogether 260 days). Parental leave is extended in the event of the birth of twins or more children at the same time, a prematurely born child, or a child who needs special care. The amount of parental benefit is equal to 100% of the basis and may not be more than 2.5 times the amount of the average monthly wage.
Norway
Norway offers 49 weeks of paternity leave. The paternal quota is the same: 15 weeks at 100% or 19 weeks at 80%. Fathers can take the parental quota from week seven after birth or choose to wait until a later date. The quota can be taken consecutively, divided up, or combined with partial work. The joint period is 16 weeks of parental benefit that can be shared. It is 16 weeks at 100% or 18 weeks 80%. This can be divided or taken entirely by the mother or father.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria offers 410 days of paternity leave.
The father is entitled to 15 days paid paternity leave in Bulgaria. Mothers are entitled to 410 days of maternity leave. When the child is 6 months old, the mother can transfer the remaining maternity leave to the father.
Germany
Germany offers 14 weeks of paternity leave
Fathers have no statutory paternity leave in Germany. However, they can take parental leave for up to 14 months where they are compensated between €300 and €1800. They cannot be fired from their job while they are on this leave.
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