Paternity Leave Rights Around the World

Although sometimes overlooked, fathers and fathers-to-be are responsible with the mother for bringing up a child. However, ungenerous paternity schemes and employment laws set by governments and employers are often not enough incentive for fathers to take time off to spend with their new-borns. In 2010, the UK Prime Minister David Cameron took time off to spend with his newborn daughter and his wife, however the Equality and Human Rights Commission reported in 2009 that 45% of new fathers admitted to not taking any paternity leave. Of those, 88% said they would have liked to have done so, and 49% said they could not afford it.

As the economy shifts and there are more female bread-winners in each family, make sure you know your employment law rights as a new father. Below is a guide to paternity leave rights around the world. (Information correct as of 2011)

Bulgaria:
In Bulgaria, a father or even a grandparent is permitted to take maternity leave instead of the mother and receive 100% salary for a full year

Italyr
In Italy, fathers are allowed to take up to 13 weeks with 80% pay, but the total maternity leave taken by both parents must remain under 26 weeks.

Norwayr
Norway is very generous with maternity and paternity leave. The mother is given 56 weeks maternity leave, 46 of which are 100% paid and the remaining 10 are at 80% pay. The father can take 10 of these 56 weeks if he chooses.

Spainr
The mother is granted 16 weeks maternity leave, of which the father is able to take 15 days at 100% pay.

Africar
There are very few African countries that offer 10 days or more paid leave. The countries that do are Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Gabon and Togo.

Indonesiar
Fathers are allowed just 2 days paid leave given at birth.

Canadar
Up to 35 weeks total at $468/week is permitted that must be shared between both parents. Either the mother or father can take it all, or they can split it up as they choose.

Countries that don’t give any paternity leave include:
Greece, Luxembourg, Mexico, Peru, Congo, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Iraq, Singapore and Thailand, to name but a few.