In the middle of the debate about the equalization of maternity and paternity leave in our country, the AEPap expressed two months ago about the need to extend maternity leave to at least six months. Thus, the exclusive breastfeeding recommended by WHO could be ensured in this first stage of the baby's life. And in Spain, the 16-week leave that mothers have after giving birth is clearly insufficient.
This has led us to investigate how are maternity leave in other countries of the world, and the truth is that we have a long way to go to match some of our European neighbors. This is how maternity leave is distributed around the world, according to the latest report prepared by the International Workers Organization and the OECD.
Duration of maternity leave in the world. Via ILO. 
Weeks of paid maternity leave. Via OECD Europe
Countries with maternity leave over six months
In descending order, this would be the list of European countries with more than six months of maternity leave:
Sweden, leads the ranking of European countries with the broadest maternity leave, with 480 days (16 months) shared between father and mother, and receiving 80 percent of the salary up to 390 days.
In Bulgaria mothers have a full-day maternity leave of 410 days (the first year of birth of their baby, plus the last weeks of pregnancy), with the possibility of extending it to three years, charging a percentage of the salary in the second year , and without receiving anything during the third year of leave.
In Babies and more Paternity leave in the worldAlbania, United Kingdom, Bosnia Y Montenegro With 365 days.
Norway, with 315 days (approximately, ten months).
Greece, 301 days or 43 weeks (approximately ten months).
Ireland, with 294 days or 42 weeks (almost ten months).
Macedonia, with 273 days (approximately, nine months).
Czech Republic, with 256 days or 36 and a half weeks (approximately, eight and a half months).
Slovakia, 238 days (almost eight months).
Croatia, with 196 days or 28 weeks (approximately, seven months).
In Denmark, fathers and mothers have one year permit to be distributed, having to take at least the mother 126 days or 18 weeks, and the father 14 days. If the father only decided to take two weeks and give the rest to the mother, she could enjoy 225 days of maternity leave (approximately seven and a half months).
In Poland, mothers have six months of maternity leave with 100% of their salary, but can extend another six months if they wish, reducing the percentage of salary to be received.
In Finland, mothers have 122 days (or approximately, four months) of paid leave, but then they have 158 more days that they can share with their partner if they wish.
In Ukraine, as we can read in their labor legislation, women are entitled to maternity leave with full salary, 56 days after giving birth and 70 days before delivery. But, subsequently, they are entitled to a leave without pay from the company until the child is three years old.
In Germany, as we read in their labor legislation, they have 14 weeks of maternity leave, distributed in six weeks before the date of delivery, and eight weeks after giving birth. But, subsequently, mothers have the right to take a leave to take care of their baby until he turns three. In addition, the state provides financial assistance up to 14 months of the baby.
Countries with maternity leave below six months
In descending order, this would be the list of European countries with less than six months of maternity leave:
Hungary, 168 days or 24 weeks (just over five and a half months)
Italy, with 154 days or 22 weeks (approximately, five months).
Portugal, with 150 days of maternity leave at 80% of salary. If you want to keep 100% of the salary, the permit must then be 120 days.
Estonia, Russia Y Serbia, 140 days or 20 weeks (slightly less than five months).
Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania Y Romania, 126 days or 18 weeks (just over four months).
Austria, Holland, Cyprus, France, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Luxembourg Y Latvia They have 112 days or 16 weeks less (just under four months).
Belgium Y Slovenia, 105 days or 15 weeks.
malt Y Germany with 98 days or 14 weeks (approximately three months). In Germany, those 14 weeks are spread over six weeks before the due date, and eight weeks after giving birth. But, subsequently, parents have the right to take a leave to take care of their baby until he turns three. In addition, the state provides financial assistance to mothers between two and 14 months.
Iceland, 91 days or 13 weeks.
Liechtenstein, is the European country with the lowest maternity leave, with only 56 days.
America and Canada
In Canada They have two types of permits: the "pregnancy leave" and the "parental leave", which can be shared between the two parents. The total duration of the two licenses together is 52 weeks, but it has been recently extended to a year and a half.
U.S, 84 days of maternity leave without any compensation.
Cuba 156 days (approximately five months).
Chile, with 126 days or 18 weeks.
Brazil Y Costa Rica, 120 days (approximately four months).
Panama, Belize Peru Y Colombia, 98 days (just over three months)
Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago Y Guiana, 90 days (approximately three months).
Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Ecuador, Uruguay Y Paraguay, with 84 days or 12 weeks.
Puerto Rico, with 56 days.
Asia
Vietnam, with 183 days (approximately, six months)
Mongolia, 120 days (approximately, four months).
Bangladesh, with 112 days or 16 weeks.
Japan Y China They have 98 days or 14 weeks of maternity leave.
In Babies and moreThe Japanese politician who challenges the millennial machismo of his country by asking for paternity leaveKorea, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia, with 90 days.
India Y Pakistan, with 84 days.
Asian countries with the least maternity leave are, Republic of Malaysia with 60 days, Nepal with 52 days and Oman with 50
Australia and New Zealand
The australian mothers They have 18 weeks of maternity leave, but only receive 42% of their salary. To compensate, they have several "baby checks" to help motherhood.
For its part, in New Zealand They have 18 weeks of maternity leave.
In Babies and more Australia will allow members of parliament to breastfeed or bottle feed their babies inside the enclosureAfrica
Maternity leave on this continent ranges, in most countries, between 84 and 98 days. Mozambique Y Eritrea with 60 days, Sudan with 56 days, and Tunisia With only 30 days are the countries that have the lowest maternity leave. Meanwhile in South Africa, with 112 days, is where they have the highest permission.
As we said at the beginning, this information is based on 2014 data published by the ILO and on OECD data published in 2016. We understand that in this time some modifications could have arisen or particular characteristics of each country that we do not know. Therefore, if you have detected an error or have more current information, we thank you for telling us to correct it.
Pixabay Photos
Via ILO, OECD
