Who gives the longest maternity leave?
Asked by: Beau O'Conner | Last update: April 4, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (16 votes)
The longest maternity leave varies by country, with Romania often cited for 104 weeks (2 years) paid leave and Estonia offering 86 weeks total parental leave, while countries like Norway, Bulgaria, and Sweden also provide substantial periods, often combining high pay with extended, shareable leave, contrasting sharply with the U.S. which lacks federal paid maternity leave.
What company has the longest paid maternity leave?
Netflix. Netflix offers the highest amount of paid parental leave of all Russell 1000 companies JUST ranks, at 52 weeks for both primary and secondary caregivers.
Where do you get the longest maternity leave?
Bulgaria is the country with the best maternity leave in the world, offering new parents an incredible 410 days of paid time off. Not only do they have one of the longest maternity leaves, but Bulgaria also covers 90% of the employee's salary and starts 45 days before the due date.
Which country gives 12 months maternity leave?
Estonia is the country with the most comprehensive maternity leave for employees, with over one year of maternity leave. New mothers can take up to 86 weeks off before and after childbirth. 20 of these weeks are paid at 100% of the employee's salary.
Which company gives the highest maternity leave?
Netflix and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are frequently cited as offering the highest maternity leave, providing up to 52 weeks (a full year) of paid leave for both primary and secondary caregivers, a benefit unmatched by most companies, even in the US where paid leave isn't federally mandated, setting a high bar for parental support. Other tech and finance giants like KPMG, Salesforce, and Goldman Sachs also offer substantial leave, often around 20-26 weeks, along with other family-friendly perks.
How Long Does Maternity Leave Last? - Women's Health and Harmony
Can I take 12 months maternity leave?
Statutory Maternity Leave
If you are employed and pregnant, you are entitled to 52 weeks (1 year) of maternity leave, no matter how long you've worked for your employer. This is made up of 26 weeks of ordinary maternity leave and 26 weeks of additional maternity leave.
Which US companies have the best maternity leave?
Based on Cookler's 2025 data, the ten large U.S. companies that rated highest on transparency and quality of paid parental leave for primary caregivers include, in alphabetical order: Adobe Inc. Amazon.com, Inc. eBay Inc.
Why doesn't America have longer maternity leave?
One reason is that the "US is the only advanced country that provides no public support to new parents." The US does not have a federal paid maternity and family leave act. Some states, however, include paid leave legislation for family members.
What country has no maternity leave?
The United States, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Suriname, and Tonga are the only countries in the world that don't provide for paid leave for employed mothers after they give birth. Paid leave is an important way for governments to support women and families.
Can I take 13 months maternity leave?
You have a legal right to take 16–78 weeks (up to 18 months) of leave. Maternity leave is 16 weeks. Parental leave follows. You can start your maternity leave up to 12 weeks before your child is born or on the birthdate.
How can I survive maternity leave without pay?
Surviving unpaid maternity leave involves meticulous financial planning before the birth, utilizing accrued PTO and short-term disability if available, cutting non-essential expenses, exploring government aid (like WIC/SNAP) or crowdfunding, and negotiating with your employer for flexible return options or non-financial benefits. Focus on reducing expenses, building a baby fund, and using community/employer resources to ease the financial strain and navigate the emotional challenges.
Can I get full pay on maternity leave?
You don't automatically get 100% pay on maternity leave; it depends on your employer's policy and state laws, with many US states offering partial pay (60-90%) through programs or insurance, while some companies provide enhanced benefits, and some workers only get unpaid FMLA leave, sometimes topping it up with PTO or disability for closer to full pay.
Does the US have the worst maternity leave?
The United States continues to rank among the worst countries in the world when it comes to maternity pay—and that's despite being one of the richest, according to a new analysis of data from more than 170 countries.
What state has the best maternity care?
New York City had the most “Best Hospitals,” followed by Los Angeles and Chicago. North Carolina leads in Access to Maternity Care with the greatest concentration of quality facilities in underserved communities.
What 13 states offer paid maternity leave?
Thirteen states-California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington-and the District of Columbia have passed legislation to create paid family and medical leave programs.
Where does the US rank in maternity leave?
The international recommended minimum standard for maternity leave is 14 weeks. The US, through the FMLA, provides only 12 weeks of unpaid leave, making the country one of eight in the world that does not guarantee paid maternity leave.
How long is maternity leave in the USA?
Maternity leave in the U.S. isn't federally mandated as paid time off, but the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible workers (at companies with 50+ employees) up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for childbirth, with health benefits maintained. However, many states and employers offer paid leave, with durations and pay varying significantly; some states offer paid systems, while others protect pregnant workers with unpaid leave for companies with fewer employees, making the actual length of paid leave highly dependent on location and employer policy.
Who has the best maternity leave in the world?
The best maternity leave in the world combines long duration with high pay, with Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria, and Estonia consistently ranking highest for generous, well-paid, and often shareable parental leave, while countries like the UK and Finland also offer strong benefits, with Nordic nations generally leading the way over the US, which lacks mandated paid leave.
Why is paid maternity leave bad?
Common arguments against offering paid family leave are that PFL reduces employees' attachment to their jobs, leads to discrimination against women who are more likely than men to take leave, and imposes a substantial cost on employers. In theory, PFL could improve or inhibit labor market outcomes for new parents.
What countries have the worst maternity leave?
The top 10 worst countries for maternity leave:
- USA – 0 weeks.
- Papua New Guinea – 0 weeks.
- Tunisia – 4 weeks.
- Malawi – 8 weeks.
- Sudan – 8 weeks.
- Cape Verde – 9 weeks.
- Eritrea – 9 weeks.
- Guinea-Bissau – 9 weeks.
Will maternity leave increase in 2025?
Yes, maternity leave is increasing in the U.S. in 2025, primarily through state-level expansions in benefits and duration, with significant boosts in states like California (higher pay replacement) and new or enhanced programs in others, while federal proposals like the FAMILY Act also aimed for national standards. Large employers are also expanding benefits, generally increasing leave time for all parents.
What are good jobs to get while pregnant?
Pregnant women jobs
- Childcare Specialist Provider. MARYS CHOICE RVA. ...
- Hotline Counselor (Part-Time) ...
- Front Desk Receptionist. ...
- Hotline Services Shift Lead (Part-Time) ...
- Family Service Worker. ...
- Create a profile on Indeed. ...
- Childcare Worker in Residential Home for Pregnant Mothers & Babies. ...
- Overnight Women's Shelter Assistant.
How to survive financially while on maternity leave?
How to survive unpaid maternity leave
- Plan ahead. ...
- Make a budget. ...
- Create a baby registry. ...
- Look into disability insurance. ...
- Negotiate for paid maternity leave with your employer. ...
- Start crowdfunding for support. ...
- Seek help from charities and nonprofits.
Do you get full pay on maternity leave?
No, full pay isn't guaranteed for maternity leave in the U.S.; it depends on your employer and state, as federal law (FMLA) only provides unpaid, job-protected leave, while some states offer paid leave programs (like California's PFML) or private companies offer benefits, often covering a percentage of wages, not 100%.