Statistics and indicators on women and men
 
Table 5g. Maternity leave benefits
Last Update: December 2009
Country or area
Period
 Note
%
   Note
Afghanistan
90
   days
100
 Employer
Albania
365
   calendar days
80, 50
   a Social insurance system
Algeria
14
   weeks
100
 Social security
Andora
16
   weeks
100
 Social insurance system
Angola
12
   weeks
100
 Social security and Employer
Antigua and Barbuda
13
   weeks
100, 60
   b Social insurance and Employer
Argentina
90
   days
100
   c Family allowance funds (financed through state and employer contributions)
Armenia
140
   days
100
 Social insurance
Australia
12
   months d
...
   e Social assistance system financed by the State
Austria
16
   weeks
100
 Statutory health insurance, family burden equalization fund, or employer
Azerbaijan
126
   calendar days
100
 Social insurance
Bahamas
13
   weeks
100
   f National Insurance Board (2/3) and Employer (1/3)
Bahrain
45
   days
100
 Employer
Bangladesh
16
   weeks
100
 Employer
Barbados
12
   weeks
100
 National insurance system
Belarus
126
   calendar days
100
 State social insurance
Belgium
15
   weeks
82, 75
   g Social security
Belize
14
   weeks
100
 Social security or Employer (for women who are not entitled to receive benefits from social security)
Benin
14
   weeks
100
 Social security (1/2) and Employer (1/2)
Bermuda
12
   weeks
100
   h Employer
Bolivia
12
   weeks
70-100
   i Social insurance
Bosnia & Herzegovina
1
   year
50-100
   j ...
Botswana
12
   weeks
25
 Employer
Brazil
120
   days
100
 Social insurance
British Virgin Islands
13
   weeks
67
   k Social security
Bulgaria
135
   days
90
 Public social insurance (the General Sickness and Maternity Fund)
Burkina Faso
14
   weeks
100
 Social security (if necessary, the employer adds up to the full wage)
Burundi
12
   weeks
50
 Employer
Cambodia
90
   days
50
 Employer
Cameroon
14
   weeks
100
 National Social Insurance Fund
Canada
17
   weeks l,m
55
   n,o Federal and State Employment Insurance
Cape Verde
60
   days
90
 Social insurance
Central African Republic
14
   weeks
50
 Social security
Chad
14
   weeks
50
 Social security
Channel Islands, Guernsey
18
   weeks
...
   p,q Social insurance and social assistance
Channel Islands, Jersey
18
   weeks
...
   p,q Social insurance
Chile
18
   weeks
100
 Social security
China
90
   days
100
   r Social insurance
China, Hong Kong SAR
10
   weeks
80
 Employer
Colombia
12
   weeks
100
 Social security
Comoros
14
   weeks
100
 Employer
Congo
15
   weeks
100
 50% Social security, 50% Employer
Costa Rica
4
   months
100
   s 50% Social security, 50% Employer
Cote d'Ivoire
14
   weeks
100
 Social insurance
Croatia
1+
   year t
100
   u Health Insurance Fund (until the child reaches the age of 6 months), and the rest is paid from the State Budget
Cuba
18
   weeks
100
 Social security
Cyprus
18
   weeks
75
   v Social security
Czech Republic
28
   weeks
69
 Social security
Democratic Republic of the Congo
14
   weeks
67
 Employer
Denmark
52
   weeks w
100
   n Municipality and Employer
Djibouti
14
   weeks
50, 100
   x Employer
Dominica
12
   weeks
60
   k Social security
Dominican Republic
12
   weeks
100
   y 50% Social security, 50% Employer
Ecuador
12
   weeks
100
 75% Social security, 25% Employer
Egypt
90
   days
100
 Social security (75%) and Employer (25%)
El Salvador
12
   weeks
75
 Social security for insured workers, otherwise Employer must pay
Equatorial Guinea
12
   weeks
75
 Social security
Eritrea
60
   days
...
   z Employer
Estonia
140
   calendar days
100
 Health Insurance Fund
Ethiopia
90
   days
100
 Employer (for up to 45 days)
Fiji
84
   days
...
   p Employer
Finland
105
   working days
70
   v2 Social insurance system
France
16
   weeks
100
   n Social security
Gabon
14
   weeks
100
 National Social Security Fund
Gambia
12
   weeks
100
 Employer
Germany
14
   weeks
100
   n Statutory health insurance scheme, state, employer
Ghana
12
   weeks
100
 Employer
Greece
119
   days
50+
   a1,b1 Social security/Employer
Grenada
3
   months
100, 60
   c1 60% for 12 weeks by Social security, 40% for 2 months by Employer
Guatemala
84
   days
100
   y Social security (2/3), Employer (1/3)
Guinea
14
   weeks
100
 Social security (1/2), Employer (1/2)
Guinea-Bissau
60
   days
100
 Employer (if women receive subsidy from social security, employer pays the difference between subsidy and full salary)
Guyana
13
   weeks
70
   k Social security
Haiti
12
   weeks
100
   d1 Employer
Honduras
12
   weeks
100
   y Social security (2/3), Employer (1/3)
Hungary
24
   weeks
70
 Social insurance
Iceland
3
   months e1
80
 Social security
India
12
   weeks
100
 Social insurance or employer (for non-covered women)
Indonesia
3
   months
100
 Employer
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
90
   days
67
 Social security
Iraq
62
   days
100
 Social security
Ireland
26
   weeks
80
   f1 Social insurance
Isle of Man
26
   weeks
90
   g1 Social security and social assistance system
Israel
14
   weeks
100
   n Social security
Italy
5
   months
80
 Social insurance
Jamaica
12
   weeks
...
   h1 Social insurance
Japan
14
   weeks
67
   i1 Employees' health insurance scheme or National health insurance scheme (for all those not covered under the Employees' health insurance scheme)
Jordan
10
   weeks
100
 Employer
Kazakhstan
126
   calendar days
100
 Employer
Kenya
3
   months
100
 Employer
Kiribati
12
   weeks
25
 Employer
Kuwait
70
   days
100
 Employer
Kyrgyzstan
126
   calendar days
100
   j1 Social security (Employer covers the first 10 working days)
Lao People's Democratic Republic
90
   days
100
   k1 Social security or employer
Latvia
112
   calendar days
100
 State Social Insurance Agency
Lebanon
7
   weeks
100
 Employer
Lesotho
12
   weeks
...
   l1 Employer
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
50
   days
50, 100
   m1 Employer, Social security for self-employed women
Liechtenstein
20
   weeks
80
 Social insurance
Lithuania
126
   calendar days
100
 State Social Insurance Fund
Luxembourg
16
   weeks
100
 Social insurance
Madagascar
14
   weeks
100
 50% Social insurance, 50% Employer
Malawi
8
   weeks n1
100
 Employer
Malaysia
60
   days
100
 Employer
Mali
14
   weeks
100
 Social insurance
Malta
14
   weeks
100
   o1 Employer/Social security
Mauritania
14
   weeks
100
 National Social Security Fund
Mauritius
12
   weeks
100
 Employer
Mexico
12
   weeks
100
   y Social security
Monaco
16
   weeks
90
   n Social insurance
Mongolia
120
   days
70
 Social Insurance Fund
Morocco
14
   weeks
100
 Social security
Mozambique
60
   days
100
 Social security
Myanmar
12
   weeks
67
 Social security
Namibia
12
   weeks
100
 Social security
Nepal
52
   days
100
 Employer
Netherlands
16
   weeks
100
   n Social insurance
New Zealand
14
   weeks
100
   n State funds (Universal and social assistance system)
Nicaragua
12
   weeks
60
   y Social security
Niger
14
   weeks
100
 50% Social insurance, 50% Employer
Nigeria
12
   weeks
50
 Employer
Norway
46-56
   weeks p1
80, 100
   q1 Social insurance
Pakistan
12
   weeks
100
   r1 Social insurance
Panama
14
   weeks
100
   y Social Insurance Fund
Papua New Guinea
6+
   weeks s1
...
   t1 ...
Paraguay
12
   weeks
50
   u1 Social insurance system
Peru
90
   days
100
   n Social security system
Philippines
60
   days v1
100
 Social security
Poland
16
   weeks
100
 Social Insurance Fund
Portugal
120
   days
100
 Social insurance
Qatar
50
   days
100
 Employer
Republic of Korea
90
   days
100
   w1 Employment Insurance Fund
Republic of Moldova
126
   calendar days
100
 Social insurance
Romania
126
   calendar days
85
 Social Insurance Fund
Russian Federation
140
   calendar days
100
   n,b1 Social Insurance Fund
Rwanda
12
   weeks
100, 20
   x1 Employer (if women not covered by social security)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
13
   weeks
65
   k Social security
Saint Lucia
3
   months
65
   k National Insurance Corporation
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
13
   weeks
65
   k Social insurance
San Marino
5
   months
100
   y1 Social security
Sao Tome and Principe
60
   days
100
 Social security (Employer if women not covered by social security)
Saudi Arabia
10
   weeks
50, 100
   z1 Employer
Senegal
14
   weeks
100
 Social security
Serbia
365
   days
100
   a2 Social insurance
Seychelles
14
   weeks
...
   b2 Social Security Fund
Singapore
12
   weeks
100
   c2 Employer and Government
Slovakia
28
   weeks
55
 Social Insurance Fund
Slovenia
105
   calendar days
100
 State
Solomon Islands
12
   weeks
25
 Employer
Somalia
14
   weeks
50
 Employer
South Africa
4
   months
60
   d2 Unemployment Insurance Fund
Spain
16
   weeks
100
 Social security
Sri Lanka
12
   weeks
86, 100
   e2 Employer
Sudan
8
   weeks
100
 Employer
Swaziland
12
   weeks
...
   f2 ...
Sweden
480
   days g2
80
   n,h2 Social insurance
Switzerland
14
   weeks i2
80
   n,j2 Social insurance
Syrian Arab Republic
50
   days
70
 Employer
Tajikistan
140
   calendar days
...
   z Social security
TFYR of Macedonia
9
   months
...
   z Health Insurance Fund
Thailand
90
   days
100, 50
   k2 Employer and Social insurance system
Togo
14
   weeks
100
 50% Employer, 50% Social security
Trinidad and Tobago
13
   weeks
100, 50
   l2 Employer and National Insurance Board
Tunisia
1-2
   months m2
67, 100
   n2 National Social Security Fund
Turkey
16
   weeks
67
   o2 Social security
Turkmenistan
112
   days
100
   b1 Social security
Uganda
60
   working days
100
 Employer
Ukraine
126
   days
100
 Social security
United Arab Emirates
45
   days
100, 50
   p2 Employer
United Kingdom
52
   weeks q2
90
   r2 Employer (92% refunded by public funds)
United Republic of Tanzania
12
   weeks
100
 National Social Security Fund
United States of America
12
   weeks
...
   s2 ...
Uruguay
12
   weeks
100
   t2 Social security system
Uzbekistan
126
   calendar days
100
 Social insurance
Vanuatu
3
   months
50
 Employer
Venezuela
18
   weeks
67
 Social insurance
Viet Nam
4-6
   months u2
100
 Social insurance fund
Yemen
60
   days
100
 Employer
Zambia
12
   weeks
100
 Employer
Zimbabwe
98
   days
100
 Employer

Sources:

International Labour Office, Maternity protection database available from the ILO Conditions of Work and Employment Programme’s website, http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/condtrav/database/index.htm (accessed December 2009) supplemented by data compiled by the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) and published in: Social Security Programs Throughout the World: The Americas, 2007; Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Africa, 2009; Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific, 2008; and Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Europe, 2008, available from the SSA website, http://www.ssa.gov/policy/data_sub50.html (accessed December 2009).

 

Footnotes:

...
 Not available.
a
 80% for the period prior to birth and for 150 days after birth, and 50% for the rest of the leave period.
b
 Social Insurance (60 per cent for 13 weeks) and Employer (40 per cent for the first 6 weeks).
c
 In addition, a means-tested birth grant is paid in lump sum.
d
 The entitlement to 12 months is reduced by the amount of any unpaid special maternity leave taken by the employee while she was pregnant.
e
 A lump sum payment is paid for each child.
f
 Benefits by the National Insurance Board are paid for 13 weeks, by the Employer for 12 weeks.
g
 82% for the first 30 days and 75% for the remaining period (up to a ceiling).
h
 No statutory benefits are provided. However, the 2000 Employment Act provides for 8 weeks paid and 4 weeks unpaid maternity leave to employees who have worked for the same employer for at least a year; 8 weeks unpaid maternity leave for employees with less than a year.
i
 100% of national minimum wage plus 70% of wages above minimum wage.
j
 The level of benefits received during maternity leave varies from 50% to 100% depending upon the various cantonal regulations.
k
 In addition, a maternity grant is paid in lump sum.
l
 Duration of maternity leave depends on the province. In Quebec and Saskatchewan, maternity leave is 18 weeks, while in Alberta it is 15.
m
 In addition, up to 37 weeks of parental leave may be shared between the two parents within the 52 weeks following birth.
n
 Up to a ceiling.
o
 Benefits paid vary by province and jurisdiction. In most provices and the federal jurisdiction, 55% paid for 15 weeks of maternity leave and another 35 weeks of paternal leave which may be shared between both parents. Three provinces (Newfoundland, Prince Edward's Island and Saskatchewan) pay maternity benefits for the full 17 weeks leave (in the case of Saskatchewan 18 weeks). In Quebec, maternity benefits are paid at 70% for 18 weeks or at 75% for 15 weeks; paternity benefits are paid at 70% for 5 weeks or at 75% for 3 weeks; parental benefits (shared by both parents) are paid at 70% for 7 weeks plus 55% for 25 weeks or at 75% for 25 weeks.
p
 Flat rate for the normal duration of maternity leave.
q
 In addition, a lump sum maternity grant is paid.
r
 The social insurance program applies to urban areas and the maternity insurance program covers all employees in urban enterprises, including all state-owned enterprises, regardless of their location.
s
 In cases where the employee does not fulfill the prerequisites to receive social security benefits, the employer shall pay two-thirds of the remuneration.
t
 45 days before delivery and 1 year after.
u
 100% until the child reaches the age of six months, then at a flat rate determined by the Act on the Execution of the State Budget for the remaining period.
v
 The rate is increased to 80% if claimant has one dependant, to 90% if she has two dependants and to 100% if she has three dependants.
w
 Up to 32 weeks of leave period may be divided freely between both parents.
x
 100% for public servants.
y
 If the worker is not entitled to social security benefits, the employer shall cover the full cost of benefit.
z
 Paid amount not specified.
a1
 50% plus a dependent's supplement (10% for each dependent, up to a maximum of 40%).
b1
 In addition, a birth grant is paid in lump sum.
c1
 100% for 2 months and 60% for the last month.
d1
 6 weeks coverage.
e1
 The 3-month leave period may be freely split between both parents.
f1
 Subject to a minimum and maximum amount.
g1
 Maternity allowance is paid for a period of up to 39 weeks at 90% of earnings, up to a ceiling.
h1
 The benefit is equal to the national minimum weekly wage and is paid for 8 weeks.
i1
 In addition, the Employees' health insurance scheme provides a lump-sum grant.
j1
 100 per cent for the first 10 working days covered by employer. For the rest of the maternity leave, 10 times the benchmark amount is paid from social security fund. Benefits are adjusted periodically according to changes in the cost of living.
k1
 Coverage limited to employees in private-sector and state-owned enterprises with 10 or more employees, and pensioners. Coverage is only available in certain regions of the country.
l1
 No legal obligation for paid maternity leave but some employment contracts have provision.
m1
 100% for self-employed women for a period of three months.
n1
 Every three years.
o1
 An employee on maternity leave is entitled to full wages during the first thirteen weeks of leave, with the fourteenth week unpaid. Social security pays maternity benefit at a flat rate for a maximum of 13 weeks for those not covered under the Employment and Industrial Relations Act.
p1
 Two leave options depending on the choice of benefits paid: 46 weeks or 56 weeks parental leave. The mother must take at least 3 weeks immediately before birth and 9 weeks immediately after birth. 10 weeks are reserved for the father. The rest of the leave period can be shared between both parents.
q1
 Parental benefits are paid either at 100% for 46 weeks or at 80% for 56 weeks. Prior to 1 July 2009, parental benefits paid 100% for 44 weeks or 80% for 54 weeks.
r1
 Coverage for employees of industrial, commercial, and other establishments with five or more workers. Special systems for public-sector employees, members of the armed forces, police officers, local authority employees, and railway employees.
s1
 A female employee is entitled to take maternity leave for a period necessary for hospitalization before confinement and six weeks after confinement.
t1
 Maternity leave is unpaid. However, annual leave or sick leave credits, paid by the employer, may be used for maternity leave.
u1
 9 weeks coverage.
v1
 78 days for caesarian delivery.
w1
 The employer pays the first 60 days of leave, for enterprises which do not meet certain criteria.
x1
 100 per cent of salary during the first six weeks of maternity leave; during the last six weeks of maternity leave, 20 per cent of salary.
y1
 After the 5 months leave, mothers can remain on leave and receive a benefit equal to 30% of earnings for 7 months and 20% of earnings for the next 6 months, or they can return to work and take up to 2 hours of leave a day on full pay for 13 months.
z1
 50% or 100% depending on the duration of employment.
a2
 100% of earnings are paid for the first 6 months; 60% from the 6th to the 9th month; and 30% for the last 3 months.
b2
 A flat monthly rate is paid for twelve weeks.
c2
 The first 8 weeks paid by employer, the last 4 weeks funded by the Government up to a ceiling. For the third and subsequent births, the full 12 weeks will be funded by the Government up to a ceiling.
d2
 Up to a maximum amount of 60% depending on the level of income.
e2
 Six-seventh (86%) of wages for workers paid at a time-rate or piece-rate. Employees covered by the Shop and Offices Employees Act receive 100 per cent of the remuneration.
f2
 No statutory benefits are provided.
g2
 480 days shared between both parents. 60 of these days are reserved for each parent while the rest are freely transferable between both parents. In case of sole custody, all 480 days accrue to the custodial parent.
h2
 480 calendar days paid parental leave: 80% for 390 days; flat rate for remaining 90 days.
i2
 Some cantons provide longer leaves. In the Canton of Geneva paid leave is 16 weeks. Employees of the Swiss Confederation are entitled to 98 at least four months if the woman has completed a year of service.
j2
 Employees of the Confederation are entitled to 4 month paid maternity at 100%.
k2
 Employer for 45 days at a rate of 100%; Social insurance for the remaining 45 days at a rate of 50%. In addition, the social insurance pays a lump sum child birth grant.
l2
 The Maternity Protection Act entitles an employee to 100% pay for 1 month and 50% for 2 months by Employer; social insurance system pays a sum depending on earnings. When the sum of the amount paid under the Maternity Protection Act and social insurance is less than full pay, the employer shall pay the difference to the employee.
m2
 Civil servants entitled to 2 months of maternity leave.
n2
 Social insurance benefits paid to private sector employees for 30 days at a rate of 2/3 of average daily wage. Civil servants are paid full salary during maternity leave.
o2
 12 weeks coverage.
p2
 100 per cent after one continuous year of employment, 50 per cent for employment less than one year.
q2
 Consisting of 26 weeks of ordinary maternity leave and 26 weeks of additional maternity leave.
r2
 Statutory maternity leave is paid for a continuous period of up to 39 weeks. 90% for the first 6 weeks and a flat rate for the remaining weeks. From April 2010, paid maternity leave will increases to 52 weeks.
s2
 There is no national program. Cash benefits may be provided at the state level.
t2
 For private sector employees. Special system for civil servants.
u2
 Duration depends on the working conditions, nature of the work and disability status.
v2
 The amount of maternity benefit varies based on income and employment conditions, but there is a minimum flat rate below which entitlment does not fall.

 

Technical notes:

Data on maternity leave benefits currently available to women in countries around the world were compiled by the International Labour Office and the United States Social Security Administration from a variety of legislative and non-legislative sources. The main legislative sources include national laws regarding maternity protection, labour, social security, equality and opportunity of treatment, occupational safety and health and sometimes conditions of work. These sources apply to the private sector. Separate legislations for the public sector have not been included, nor have collective agreements. In systems where there may be no single national standard, such as federal states, the more general provision applicable has been included. Non-legislative sources include replies to the Social Security Programs Throughout the World survey conducted by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) under the sponsorship of the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA); websites of Ministries of Employment, Labour, Health and Family of countries and of Social security offices, funds or boards; as well as other ILO databases and publications.

The data presented in this table refers to laws and regulations in force at the time of the compilation of the information (between 2004 and 2009).