Maternity leaves aren’t spa days with a side of diaper duty. They’re survival mode with tiny humans who don’t care about your calendar invites.
But beyond the sleepless nights and mashed bananas, paid maternity leave is one of the most powerful (and underrated) workplace benefits.
It’s not just about giving new moms a break. It’s about healthier babies, more empowered parents, and businesses that actually retain their top talent.
According to the World Health Organization, paid maternity leave has a direct impact on infant survival, breastfeeding rates, and maternal mental health. And guess what? Companies benefit too. A Center for Economic and Policy Research report found that offering paid parental leave actually reduces turnover and increases productivity.
Yet maternity leave policies vary wildly. While some countries are out here offering champagne-level support, others are still serving flat tap water.
What is Maternity Leave?
Maternity leave is a period of time off work granted to a mother before and after she gives birth (or adopts). In many countries, it’s part of broader parental leave policies that can include paternity leave or shared parental leave for both parents.
But not all maternity leave policies are created equal.
In some regions, weeks are paid at 100% (also known as maternity leave at 100). In others, the leave might be unpaid or partially paid, depending on local laws and employer policies.
When comparing maternity leave by country, it’s important to understand:
- The total leave period
- How much of it is fully paid
- Whether both parents can access paid maternity and parental leave
Benefits of Paid Maternity Leave
Imagine this: You’re bringing a tiny human into the world, and your country says, “Cool. Get back to work in 10 days. Good luck.”
Unfortunately, that’s not fiction, it’s reality for many.
But in countries that offer paid maternity leave, the difference is night and day. Fully paid time off means parents can actually bond with their newborns without stressing over rent.
Here’s what paid maternity leave benefits look like when done right:
- Improved health outcomes: Babies born in countries with fully paid parental leave are less likely to die in their first year.
- Stronger economies: A 2019 ILO report showed that investing in paid maternity and parental leave drives economic growth by increasing women’s workforce participation.
- Less burnout, more loyalty: Companies that offer real family leave? They keep their employees around longer. Shocking, I know.
Top Countries That Offer 100% Paid Maternity Leave
So who’s doing it right?
Let’s take a quick global tour of countries where maternity leave is fully paid and yes, it’s as dreamy as it sounds.
These top 10 countries for maternity leave aren’t just generous, they’ve made paid family leave a core part of their values:
| Country | Weeks of Paid Maternity Leave | Paid at 100% |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia | 85 weeks total (20 at 100%) | ✅ Yes |
| Bulgaria | 58.6 weeks | ✅ Yes |
| Hungary | 24 weeks | ✅ Yes |
| Lithuania | 18 weeks | ✅ Yes |
| Slovakia | 34 weeks | ✅ Yes |
| Czech Republic | 28 weeks | ✅ Yes |
| Serbia | 20 weeks | ✅ Yes |
| Ukraine | 26 weeks | ✅ Yes |
| Mongolia | 17 weeks | ✅ Yes |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | 52 weeks | ✅ Yes (varies by region) |
Meanwhile, many parts of the world are still catching up. In several countries, weeks of unpaid leave are the only option or worse, no mandated leave at all.
But these leaders prove that fully paid maternity leave isn’t just possible, it’s powerful.
The Longest Maternity Leaves by Country
When it comes to maternity leave by country, one thing is clear: the length of paid maternity leave can vary as wildly as startup valuations.
Some countries offer just a few weeks. Others roll out the red carpet and say, “Take a year. Your baby’s cuter than spreadsheets anyway.”
So who’s leading the pack for the longest maternity leave?
Here are a few champions in the global race for best maternity leave:
| Country | Length of Leave | Paid at 100%? |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia | 85 weeks total (20 at 100%) | ✅ Yes (partially) |
| Bulgaria | 58.6 weeks | ✅ Yes |
| Hungary | 24 weeks | ✅ Yes |
| Lithuania | 18 weeks | ✅ Yes |
| Slovakia | 34 weeks | ✅ Yes |
These countries don’t just offer paid leave, they mandate paid time at or near full salary, giving families time to actually recover, bond, and rejoin the workforce without panic-texting their boss from a pediatrician’s office.
And let’s not forget paternity leave. In places like Sweden and Norway, shared parental leave allows both parents to take paid time off for new arrivals, often up to a year. Talk about work-life balance goals.
Countries With No Paid Maternity Leave
Now for the less sparkly side of the story.
While many European countries have made paid maternity leave part of national identity, several countries around the world still offer no paid maternity leave at all.
You read that right – zero weeks of paid leave. Not a single paid day off for recovering from childbirth and caring for a newborn.
These countries with no paid maternity leave include:
- United States (federally, we’ll get into this soon)
- Papua New Guinea
- Suriname
- Micronesia
- Marshall Islands
- Palau
- Nauru
That’s seven countries out of 185 reviewed and yes, the U.S. is the only high-income country in that group.
Let that sink in.
While most countries offer paid maternity leave of at least 12 weeks, these countries still rely entirely on private employers to voluntarily provide paid time off for new parents if they provide anything at all.
Maternity Leave in the United States
Let’s get this out of the way: the U.S. is great at launching tech companies, space rockets, and iced coffee trends. But when it comes to paid maternity leave? Not so much.
The maternity leave in the U.S. is often held up as an example of what not to do in global comparisons and sadly, for good reason.
So what does the U.S. actually offer?
Federally, not a whole lot.
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave. That’s right, unpaid. And not everyone qualifies. You have to work for a company with 50 or more employees, and you must have clocked in over 1,250 hours in the past year.
Which means if you’re in a small startup, freelancing, or gig working? You’re probably out of luck. And if you can take leave, you still have to pay your own bills during those 12 weeks.
Compare that to many countries around the world that offer fully paid maternity leave or at least several weeks of paid parental leave and it’s easy to see how the U.S. falls behind.
How behind, exactly?
Out of 185 countries analyzed by the International Labour Organization, only seven don’t mandate any paid maternity leave. The U.S. is the only high-income country on that list.
So yes, in terms of maternity leave by country, we’re ranking right down there with…well, countries that don’t have Silicon Valley.
What’s the impact?
This lack of support means:
- Parents return to work too soon
- Parental leave and paternity leave are luxuries, not norms
- The system often punishes lower-income and self-employed people the most
- Small businesses (especially startups) are left trying to patch together leave policies on a tight budget
It’s no surprise that in the U.S., only about 23% of workers have access to paid family leave through their employer.
And don’t even get us started on paternity leave. While some progressive companies offer a few weeks of paid paternity leave, there’s no national policy mandating dads can take leave either.
It’s a sharp contrast to countries that offer maternity leave at 100% pay, or that mandate paid parental leave benefits for both parents. It shows just how much maternity leave protections still vary from one country to another.
U.S. States That Offer Paid Parental Leave
While the United States as a whole still clings to its “unpaid but vibes” approach to maternity leaves, some U.S. states have decided to stop waiting around for federal reform and are actually doing something.
These states have implemented their own paid family leave programs and yes, they do include paid maternity leave (and often paid paternity leave, too).
U.S. states that currently offer paid maternity leave include:
- California (up to 8 weeks at ~60–70% pay)
- New York (12 weeks at 67% pay)
- New Jersey (12 weeks at ~85% pay)
- Rhode Island (6 weeks at ~60% pay)
- Washington (up to 12 weeks)
- Massachusetts (up to 12 weeks)
- Connecticut (12 weeks at 95% pay, up to a cap)
- Oregon (12 weeks of paid family leave beginning in 2023)
- Colorado and Delaware are also rolling out similar policies
These state-level programs are funded through payroll taxes and designed to offer paid time off for new parents, caregivers, or those dealing with serious health issues.
While no state currently mandates fully paid or maternity leave at 100%, many offer substantial wage replacement, a huge step forward for families.
Why does it matter?
Because when weeks are paid, people are actually able to take leave without sacrificing financial security. This isn’t just good for families, it’s good for businesses, especially startups trying to retain talent without burning out their teams.
It’s not perfect. The leave period, the benefits, and eligibility rules vary widely. But it shows that when national policy lags behind, local leadership can step up and people take notice.
Maternity Leave in Other Countries
The U.S. isn’t the only country figuring out its parental policies. Around the world, maternity and paternity leave have become a powerful reflection of national values and a key part of attracting and retaining talent.
Let’s look at how other countries offer paid maternity leave, and what lessons we can take from the best of them.
Parents receive 16 weeks of paid maternity leave (often more for multiple births), with an option to extend unpaid. The system also offers paid paternity leave of 28 days, 7 of which are mandatory. And yes, the leave is paid through national insurance.
In Sweden
This is the gold standard of parental leave and paternity leave. Parents get 480 days of leave shared between both partners, with 390 of those days paid at around 80% of their salary. Sweden’s policy encourages both parents to take time off and helps normalize maternity and paternity leave across all industries.
Mothers get 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, and fathers can take up to a year of paid parental leave (though cultural norms still discourage it – working on it!).
Other standout countries for maternity leave:
Across these countries around the world, the approach varies but one thing is consistent: they recognize that maternity leave benefits are not just a perk. They’re a necessity.
And they don’t stop at the mother. The best systems offer comprehensive maternity and paternity leave policies that support the whole family.
What Should You Know About Maternity Leave Before Expanding Globally
When it comes to maternity leaves, the global playing field is anything but level. Some countries offer paid maternity leave at 100%, giving new parents the time and dignity they deserve. Others? Still stuck in the era of “good luck and get back to work.”
If you’re comparing maternity leave by country or planning to build a team abroad, understanding maternity and parental leave policies isn’t optionalm it’s essential.
That’s where Empleyo comes in.
As part of our Employer of Record (EOR) service, we help growing businesses understand and stay compliant with the ever-changing world of maternity leaves, so you can focus on hiring, onboarding, and scaling with confidence.
With Empleyo, you get:
- Clear breakdowns of paid maternity leave by country
- Insight into weeks of maternity leave and whether they’re fully paid
- Updates on leave mandates, paid paternity leave, and eligibility
- Knowledge of which countries offer paid leave, and how much is paid at 100%
- Strategic support as you expand into countries around the world
From six weeks of paid leave in the U.S. to the longest paid maternity leave in Eastern Europe, we’ve got the details that matter.
Need to know the maternity leave laws in the country you’re expanding to? Contact Empleyo, we’ll make sure your global team gets the support (and time off) they deserve.
