PARENTAL LEAVE AND CARERS LEAVE: INTERNATIONAL PROVISION AND RESEARCH
Appendix 3: Paid parental leave entitlements in those countries with statutory provision
|
Country |
Entitlements to paid parental leave * |
|---|---|
| Austria | Full-time leave for one parent from end of maternity leave (at 8 weeks after the birth) up to the child's 2nd birthday, or part-time (i.e. reduced by at least 40 percent) until the child's 4th birthday |
| Belgium | Three months per parent per child, which can be taken up to the child's 6th birthday |
| Canada | Up to 35 weeks paid leave per family. All jurisdictions require that maternity leave and parental leave be consecutive if both are taken and the maximum number of weeks' leave that are allowed for one person in almost all jurisdictions is 52. |
| Czech Rep | While paid parental leave can be taken (by one parent only) up to child's 3rd birthday, parental benefit is granted until child's 4th birthday |
| Denmark | 32 weeks of paid leave, until the child is 48 weeks, per family |
| Estonia | Parental leave until child reaches three years, with family entitlement to payment that is independent of leave (i.e. Parental benefit or Childcare benefit) |
| Finland | 158 working days per family, paid via an earnings-related benefit averaging 66 percent of earnings. Those not employed or on very low incomes receive flat rate allowance |
| France | Family entitlement to leave until child reaches three years, with payment levels depending on whether child born before or after Jan 2004, and number of children in family, where more children means higher payments |
| Germany | Family entitlement to leave until child is three, with pay via means-tested childrearing benefit, where parents are not employed more than 30 hours per week. |
| Hungary | Two types of leave and benefit: GYES for non-insured parents until child's 3rd birthday, and for insured parents for child's 3rd year; GYED for insured parents from end of maternity leave until child's 2nd birthday |
| Iceland | Three months at some time after the birth, which can be taken by either parent after maternity and paternity leaves, and before child is 18 months (i.e. total of 9 months paid leave per family) |
| Italy | Six months for mothers and six months for fathers (plus another month for fathers taking their three months entitlement of optional leave) paid at 30 percent of earnings if taken when child is under 3 years, or under eight years for very low income families |
| Norway | 54 weeks, including nine weeks for mothers and six weeks for fathers (fathers' quota), with the remaining 39 weeks a family entitlement that can be taken by either parent, paid usually at 100% of earnings |
| Slovenia | 260 calendar days (about 37 weeks). Each parent is entitled to half the total, but this individual right may be transferred between parents |
| Sweden | 480 days of parental leave can be taken any time before child's 8th birthday; of which mothers' quota is 60 days, and fathers' quota another 60 days; remaining 360 days is family entitlement, half for each parent. If one parent transfers entitlement to the other, they must consent in writing. Payment for eligible parents 390 days at 80 percent of earnings up to a max; with the remaining 90 days at a lower flat rate. For fathers to be eligible, they must have been employed for at least 240 days before due date or adoption, otherwise fathers get the flat rate. |
* This table summarises paid leave entitlements only - unpaid leave is provided as well in some countries
Sources: Table 1 published in Moss and O'Brien (2006:54), with details for Austria from country notes in Deven and Moss (2005).