Did you know that the US maternity policy ranks in the bottom 6 out of 146 countries worldwide?
Americans are guaranteed only 12 weeks of unpaid leave.
Stingy much?
12 weeks is barely enough time to adjust to life with a newborn, whether with a first time baby or an additional child. Some moms are forced to return to work sooner if the financial burden becomes too great.
In my personal experience, short term disability through my employer paid 60% of my salary for 6 weeks. The rest was on me. With my second child, I had such little vacation time (and even less money), I was forced to return to work at just 10 weeks. Looking back, I have no idea how I managed it.
Take a peak at the list below. These nations have policies that include at least 14 weeks maternity leave at full pay.
Maybe a move is in your future?
14 weeks
Algeria 14 weeks
Benin 14 weeks
Panama 14 weeks
16+ Weeks
Luxembourg 16 weeks
Netherlands 16 weeks
Austria 16 weeks
Spain 16 weeks
Denmark 18 weeks (10 more weeks may be taken by either parent)
Chile 18 weeks
Cuba 18 weeks
Venezuela 18 weeks
Belarus 18 weeks
Poland 16-18 weeks
Holy Maternity Leave, Batman!
Bulgaria 17-25 weeks
Vietnam 16-24 weeks
France 16-26 weeks
Hungary 24 weeks
Norway 18 weeks & 26 extra paid weeks by either parent
Russia 20 weeks
