Total weeks of paid maternity leave available to mothers in OECD countries

The United States remains the only country in the developed world that does not mandate employers offer paid leave for new mothers, according to the OECD.

New mothers in Estonia, Slovak Republic, Finland, and Hungary for instance, are entitled to up to three years worth of paid leave.

Mothers in the United Kingdom, for example, get a whole year (52 weeks) of maternity leave. Thirty-nine of those weeks are partially paid.

Once again for emphasis: American moms are entitled to zero weeks of paid leave under federal law.

These countries offer the most generous maternity leave.

Total weeks of paid maternity leave available to mothers in OECD countries:

1. Estonia: 166 weeks
2. Slovak Republic: 164 weeks
3. Finland: 161 weeks
4. Hungary: 160 weeks
5. Bulgaria: 110.4 weeks
6. Czech Republic: 110 weeks
7. Latvia: 94 weeks
8. Norway: 91 weeks
9. South Korea: 64.9 weeks
10. Lithuania: 62 weeks
11. Austria: 60 weeks
12. Germany: 58 weeks
13. Japan: 58 weeks
14. Romania: 56.7 weeks
15. Croatia: 56 weeks
16. Sweden: 55.7 weeks
17. Slovenia: 52.1 weeks
18. Canada: 52 weeks
19. Poland: 52 weeks
20. Denmark: 50 weeks
21. Italy: 47.7 weeks
22. Greece: 43 weeks
23. France: 42 weeks
24. Luxembourg: 42 weeks
25. United Kingdom: 39 weeks
26. Belgium: 32.3 weeks
27. Portugal: 30.1 weeks
28. Chile: 30 weeks
29. Iceland: 26 weeks
30. Ireland: 26 weeks
31. Australia: 18 weeks
32. New Zealand: 18 weeks
33. Cyprus: 18 weeks
34. Malta: 18 weeks
35. Costa Rica: 17.3 weeks
36. Netherland: 16 weeks
37. Turkey: 16 weeks
38. Spain: 16 weeks
39. Israel: 14 weeks
40. Switzerlan: 14 weeks
41. Mexico: 12 weeks
42. United States: 0

This report/news/ranking/statistics has been prepared only for general guidance on matters of interest and does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and, to the extent permitted by law, CEOWORLD magazine does not accept or assume any liability, responsibility or duty of care for any consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this publication or for any decision based on it.

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