Maternity leave policies allow working mothers to take time off around the birth or adoption of a child. The length of maternity leave varies significantly around the world, with some countries mandating extensive paid leave while others provide no leave at all.
What is the purpose of maternity leave?
The main purposes of maternity leave are:
- Allow mothers time to physically recover from childbirth
- Enable mothers to bond with and care for a newborn or newly adopted child
- Protect the jobs of working mothers while they take leave
In addition to benefiting mothers and children, maternity leave policies have been linked to health benefits such as lower infant mortality rates. Paid maternity leave may also increase workforce attachment among new mothers.
How long is maternity leave around the world?
There is significant variation in maternity leave policies globally. According to the World Policy Analysis Center, the average length of paid maternity leave around the world is 29 weeks. However, some countries provide far less leave, while others mandate much longer periods of paid leave for new mothers.
Countries with the shortest maternity leave
Some examples of countries with very short maternity leave include:
- United States – 0 weeks
- Papua New Guinea – 6 weeks
- Sierra Leone – 12 weeks
- Nigeria – 12 weeks
The United States is the only industrialized country that does not mandate any paid national maternity leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act provides eligible employees with 12 weeks of unpaid leave, but there is no federal law requiring paid maternity leave.
Countries with the longest maternity leave
On the opposite end of the spectrum, some countries mandate very long maternity leaves of a year or more. Examples include:
- Bulgaria – 59 weeks
- Hungary – 70 weeks
- Slovakia – 74 weeks
- Czech Republic – 114 weeks
In these countries, mothers can take extensive paid time off work during and after pregnancy. Long leaves better enable mothers to recover and provide infant care.
What is the shortest paid maternity leave?
Looking specifically at paid national policies, the shortest maternity leaves around the world are:
| Country | Length of Paid Leave |
|---|---|
| United States | 0 weeks |
| Papua New Guinea | 6 weeks |
| Sierra Leone | 12 weeks |
| Nigeria | 12 weeks |
Again, the United States has no national paid maternity leave law. Papua New Guinea guarantees just 6 weeks of leave at 25% pay. Both Sierra Leone and Nigeria mandate 12 weeks of paid maternity leave at 50% pay.
Shortest paid leave among OECD countries
Looking specifically at economically developed countries that are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United States is still the clear outlier in terms of paid maternity leave:
| Country | Length of Paid Leave |
|---|---|
| United States | 0 weeks |
| Australia | 18 weeks |
| New Zealand | 18 weeks |
| Canada | 17 weeks |
| Japan | 14 weeks |
The next shortest paid leaves among OECD nations after the US are Australia and New Zealand at 18 weeks, followed by Canada at 17 weeks and Japan at 14 weeks.
What are the benefits of longer maternity leave?
Research has shown a variety of benefits associated with more generous national maternity leave policies:
- Lower infant mortality rates – A 2011 study found that 10 additional weeks of paid leave was associated with a 10% lower infant mortality rate.
- Increased breastfeeding – Longer maternity leaves allow mothers more time to establish breastfeeding.
- Increased immunizations – More leave makes it easier for parents to complete recommended vaccine schedules.
- Increased workforce attachment – Mothers able to take paid leave are more likely to return to work later.
- Improved mental health – Mothers report lower rates of postpartum depression in countries with longer leaves.
In addition to health impacts, longer paid maternity leave may have economic benefits by helping retain employees and reducing turnover costs for businesses.
What are the drawbacks of longer leaves?
There are some potential disadvantages associated with very long maternity leaves of a year or more:
- Higher costs for employers and government – Extended paid leave requires greater expenditures to cover wages.
- Disruptions to workforce continuity – Workers being gone for so long can cause complications.
- Impacts to women’s careers – Very long leaves may hinder career advancement and earnings.
- Effects on father involvement – Extremely long maternity leaves may discourage fathers from being equal caregivers.
These factors have led most countries to opt for maternity leave lengths between three to six months as a balance between benefits and drawbacks.
What is the optimal maternity leave length?
Research suggests an “inverted U” relationship between maternity leave length and benefits. Moderate leave periods around 3-6 months provide the ideal balance between allowing recovery and bonding time while avoiding negative workforce effects.
For example, a 2016 study found that infant health benefits peaked at around 6 months of leave, and then declined with excessively long leaves. This suggests a leave length of approximately 6 months may be optimal in many cases.
Recommendations by organization
Various organizations have issued recommendations for optimal maternity leave lengths:
- World Health Organization – At least 16 weeks
- International Labor Organization – At least 14 weeks
- European Union – Minimum 14 weeks
Most experts recommend paid maternity leaves of 3-6 months as a best practice based on balancing benefits against drawbacks.
Conclusion
The shortest nationally mandated maternity leave is zero weeks in the United States. When looking at paid leaves, the shortest policies globally provide leaves of 6-12 weeks. Among OECD nations, the shortest paid maternity leave aside from the US is around 14-18 weeks in countries like Canada, New Zealand, and Japan.
Research suggests optimal maternity leave lengths are around 3-6 months. Leaves in this range provide substantial health benefits while avoiding potential negative effects from excessively long absences. Ultimately the ideal policy balances the needs of working mothers, children, employers, and the larger economy.