WORLD Policy Analysis Center

What is the lowest wage replacement rate of paid leave reserved for mothers with one year of tenure?

This variable only includes paid leave reserved for mothers for the birth of an infant and does not include paid shared parental leave, which is leave available to either parent of an infant that can be taken by women.

For comparability, this variable examines the wage replacement rate for workers who have been with their employer for at least one year. In some countries, recently hired workers may not be eligible for paid leave, or may receive a lower wage replacement while on leave. One country does not provide maternity leave to workers with one year of tenure: Zambia requires two years.

In some countries, a higher level of wage replacement than the one reported by this variable is available based on the parent’s employment history, income level, or duration of leave.

A flat rate means all mothers receive the same amount while taking paid leave, regardless of previous salary.

International Labour Organization standards state that women should be guaranteed at least two-thirds of their previous earning during paid leave to ensure a suitable standard of living.

Research evidence suggests that a wage replacement rate of at least 80% is needed to address poverty and promote gender equality in leave-taking.

Countries

Marshall Islands - No paid leave

Micronesia, Federated States of - No paid leave

Nauru - No paid leave

Palau - No paid leave

Papua New Guinea - No paid leave

Tonga - No paid leave

United States of America - No paid leave

Zambia - No paid leave

Australia - Flat rate or adjusted flat rate

Belgium - Flat rate or adjusted flat rate

France - Flat rate or adjusted flat rate

Greece - Flat rate or adjusted flat rate

Greenland - Flat rate or adjusted flat rate

Ireland - Flat rate or adjusted flat rate

Kyrgyzstan - Flat rate or adjusted flat rate

Luxembourg - Flat rate or adjusted flat rate

Malta - Flat rate or adjusted flat rate

Sweden - Flat rate or adjusted flat rate

Albania - 20% - 65%

Antigua and Barbuda - 20% - 65%

Bosnia and Herzegovina - 20% - 65%

Botswana - 20% - 65%

Canada - 20% - 65%

Central African Republic - 20% - 65%

Dominica - 20% - 65%

Fiji - 20% - 65%

Grenada - 20% - 65%

Japan - 20% - 65%

Kiribati - 20% - 65%

Republic of Korea - 20% - 65%

Niger - 20% - 65%

Nigeria - 20% - 65%

Solomon Islands - 20% - 65%

Somalia - 20% - 65%

St. Kitts and Nevis - 20% - 65%

St. Lucia - 20% - 65%

St. Vincent and the Grenadines - 20% - 65%

Bolivia - 66% - 79%

Cyprus - 66% - 79%

Czech Republic - 66% - 79%

Equatorial Guinea - 66% - 79%

Finland - 66% - 79%

Guyana - 66% - 79%

Hungary - 66% - 79%

Iran - 66% - 79%

Lithuania - 66% - 79%

Mongolia - 66% - 79%

Myanmar - 66% - 79%

Samoa - 66% - 79%

Slovakia - 66% - 79%

South Africa - 66% - 79%

Tunisia - 66% - 79%

Türkiye - 66% - 79%

Vanuatu - 66% - 79%

Afghanistan - 80% - 100%

Algeria - 80% - 100%

Andorra - 80% - 100%

Angola - 80% - 100%

Argentina - 80% - 100%

Armenia - 80% - 100%

Austria - 80% - 100%

Azerbaijan - 80% - 100%

Bahamas - 80% - 100%

Bahrain - 80% - 100%

Bangladesh - 80% - 100%

Barbados - 80% - 100%

Belarus - 80% - 100%

Belize - 80% - 100%

Benin - 80% - 100%

Bhutan - 80% - 100%

Brazil - 80% - 100%

Brunei - 80% - 100%

Bulgaria - 80% - 100%

Burkina Faso - 80% - 100%

Burundi - 80% - 100%

Cambodia - 80% - 100%

Cameroon - 80% - 100%

Cabo Verde - 80% - 100%

Chad - 80% - 100%

Chile - 80% - 100%

China - 80% - 100%

Colombia - 80% - 100%

Comoros - 80% - 100%

Democratic Republic of the Congo - 80% - 100%

Republic of the Congo - 80% - 100%

Costa Rica - 80% - 100%

Cote d'Ivoire - 80% - 100%

Croatia - 80% - 100%

Cuba - 80% - 100%

Denmark - 80% - 100%

Djibouti - 80% - 100%

Dominican Republic - 80% - 100%

Ecuador - 80% - 100%

Egypt - 80% - 100%

El Salvador - 80% - 100%

Eritrea - 80% - 100%

Estonia - 80% - 100%

Ethiopia - 80% - 100%

Gabon - 80% - 100%

The Gambia - 80% - 100%

Georgia - 80% - 100%

Germany - 80% - 100%

Ghana - 80% - 100%

Guatemala - 80% - 100%

Guinea - 80% - 100%

Guinea-Bissau - 80% - 100%

Haiti - 80% - 100%

Honduras - 80% - 100%

Iceland - 80% - 100%

India - 80% - 100%

Indonesia - 80% - 100%

Iraq - 80% - 100%

Israel - 80% - 100%

Italy - 80% - 100%

Jamaica - 80% - 100%

Jordan - 80% - 100%

Kazakhstan - 80% - 100%

Kenya - 80% - 100%

Democratic People's Republic of Korea - 80% - 100%

Kuwait - 80% - 100%

Laos - 80% - 100%

Latvia - 80% - 100%

Lebanon - 80% - 100%

Lesotho - 80% - 100%

Liberia - 80% - 100%

Libya - 80% - 100%

Liechtenstein - 80% - 100%

North Macedonia - 80% - 100%

Madagascar - 80% - 100%

Malawi - 80% - 100%

Malaysia - 80% - 100%

Maldives - 80% - 100%

Mali - 80% - 100%

Mauritania - 80% - 100%

Mauritius - 80% - 100%

Mexico - 80% - 100%

Moldova - 80% - 100%

Monaco - 80% - 100%

Montenegro - 80% - 100%

Morocco - 80% - 100%

Mozambique - 80% - 100%

Namibia - 80% - 100%

Nepal - 80% - 100%

The Netherlands - 80% - 100%

New Zealand - 80% - 100%

Nicaragua - 80% - 100%

Norway - 80% - 100%

Oman - 80% - 100%

Pakistan - 80% - 100%

Panama - 80% - 100%

Paraguay - 80% - 100%

Peru - 80% - 100%

The Philippines - 80% - 100%

Poland - 80% - 100%

Portugal - 80% - 100%

Qatar - 80% - 100%

Romania - 80% - 100%

Russian Federation - 80% - 100%

Rwanda - 80% - 100%

San Marino - 80% - 100%

Sao Tome and Principe - 80% - 100%

Saudi Arabia - 80% - 100%

Senegal - 80% - 100%

Serbia - 80% - 100%

Seychelles - 80% - 100%

Sierra Leone - 80% - 100%

Singapore - 80% - 100%

Slovenia - 80% - 100%

South Sudan - 80% - 100%

Spain - 80% - 100%

Sri Lanka - 80% - 100%

Sudan - 80% - 100%

Suriname - 80% - 100%

Eswatini - 80% - 100%

Switzerland - 80% - 100%

Syria - 80% - 100%

Tajikistan - 80% - 100%

Tanzania - 80% - 100%

Thailand - 80% - 100%

Timor-Leste - 80% - 100%

Togo - 80% - 100%

Trinidad and Tobago - 80% - 100%

Turkmenistan - 80% - 100%

Tuvalu - 80% - 100%

Uganda - 80% - 100%

Ukraine - 80% - 100%

United Arab Emirates - 80% - 100%

United Kingdom - 80% - 100%

Uruguay - 80% - 100%

Uzbekistan - 80% - 100%

Venezuela - 80% - 100%

Vietnam - 80% - 100%

Yemen - 80% - 100%

Zimbabwe - 80% - 100%