Mothers Receive Nearly Eight Times More Paid Leave Than Fathers, UN and World Bank Data Shows

Mothers globally receive nearly eight times as much paid leave as fathers, leaving women to carry most of the caregiving burden, according to a joint policy brief released on Thursday by UN Women and the World Bank Group.

The report, titled From Parenthood Leave to Childcare Services, reveals that mothers receive an average of 196 days of paid leave compared to just 25 days for fathers. Across the 190 economies surveyed, fathers are guaranteed no paid leave at all in 66 economies, while in half of the remaining countries, fathers receive less than two weeks.

Mothers also face gaps in coverage, the data indicates. In 61 economies, mothers receive less than the International Labour Organization's standard of 14 weeks of paid leave, and six economies offer no guaranteed paid leave for mothers.

“Care sustains our families, societies and economies, yet women continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of it,” said UN Women Deputy Executive Director Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda.

According to the brief, the parenthood leave gap influences family life well after parents return to work. Women currently spend an average of 2.5 times more hours per day on unpaid care work than men. However, the report notes that when fathers take leave, they take on more long-term childcare and household responsibilities, which eases the care burden on women.

The findings also associate paternity leave with higher earnings and employment rates for mothers, suggesting that increased leave for men could help mitigate the workplace "motherhood penalty." Additionally, the brief cites analysis linking involved fatherhood to improvements in children's cognitive functioning, language, emotional regulation, and behavior.

The brief highlights that caregiving often extends beyond childcare, with approximately one in four parents also providing care for older individuals, frequently with limited or no support. Research cited in the report indicates that men increasingly desire greater involvement in caregiving, with over 64 percent expressing support for higher taxes to fund the expansion of public care services.

Ahead of the International Day of Care and Support on October 29, UN agencies are advocating for the implementation of equitable parental leave, social protections, and care systems that encourage men and boys to share caregiving responsibilities.

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