CEOWORLD magazine - Latest - CEO Insider - Total weeks of paid maternity leave available to mothers in OECD countries

CEO Insider

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

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CEOWORLD magazine - Latest - CEO Insider - Total weeks of paid maternity leave available to mothers in OECD countries
Prof. Dr. Amarendra Bhushan Dhiraj
Prof. Dr. Amarendra Bhushan Dhiraj is a media and technology executive, macro-economist, strategic thinker, chair, and chief executive officer of the CEOWORLD magazine, one of the world’s most influential and recognized global news publications. Under Dr. Amarendra's leadership, CEOWORLD magazine has become the world's most iconic news organization, whose rigorous reporting and unsurpassed storytelling connect with millions of business leaders daily. Additionally, he serves as the chair and founding member of the CEOWORLD magazine’s Inclusion Advisory Board.

In his current role, he counsels and collaborates with c-suite executives of large multinational corporations, helping them drive change in their companies to improve their competitiveness. Dr. Amarendra has extensive experience in serving on numerous boards. He leads and supports a globally dispersed team of columnists, correspondents, editors, journalists, reporters, researchers, and industry analysts.

He received his Ph.D. in Finance and Banking from the European Global School, Paris, France. He also received his Doctoral Degree in Chartered Accountancy from the European International University Paris, France, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design (KNUTD), Ukraine. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree in Finance and his master’s degree in Chartered Accountancy (CA) from European Global School Paris. Dr. Amarendra also holds a Master of Business Administration degree in International Relations and Affairs from the American University of Athens, Alabama, United States.

As CEO, he transformed the CEOWORLD magazine into a highly efficient, digital-first, profitable enterprise. Today, CEOWORLD magazine is a standard bearer for modern responsible journalism. Dr. Amarendra retains a strong desire to continuously improve his skills and abilities and believes that the first step to being a true leader is to inspire others to lead with you.


Prof. Dr. Amarendra Bhushan Dhiraj is the CHAIR, CEO, AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR of the CEOWORLD magazine. Connect with him through LinkedIn.