South Korea Led World in Paternity Leave Value
New research identified South Korea as the country providing the highest-value statutory paid paternity leave for fathers.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Child Care
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A study by Moorepay found that South Korean fathers are eligible for 82 weeks of paid parental leave, equating to more than £17,803 in value. This program provides the equivalent of 43.4 weeks of leave at full pay, ranking as the highest in the world.
Why it matters
The analysis highlights a global disparity in family support, as 51 nations—including the United States, Serbia, and New Zealand—provide no statutory paid paternity leave. These figures contrast sharply with nations like Japan and Hungary, which offer 48 and 42.1 weeks of leave respectively.
South Korean fathers receive 20 days of leave on full pay followed by 18 months of pay, totaling £17,803 in value. In contrast, the United Kingdom provides only two weeks of statutory paternity leave at a rate of £194.32 per week.
The players
Moorepay
This organization is a payroll and human resources service provider that conducts research into international employment benefits and workplace policies.
World Bank
This international financial institution provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.
The details
Researchers utilized a model of a first-born, non-adopted child with two parents employed in the private sector to calculate leave values based on World Bank average income-per-capita figures. The data also reveals a significant surge in utilization, with 95,064 South Korean workers beginning to receive parental leave benefits between January and June 2025.
Timeline
Between January and June 2023, 95,064 workers received parental leave benefits as a baseline comparison.
During the period of January to June 2025, 95,064 workers began receiving parental leave benefits.
Culture Shift
This data reflects a broader societal shift toward gender-neutral parental care expectations that depart from traditional regional norms. By establishing high-value paternity leave, nations like South Korea are actively attempting to rebalance domestic responsibilities and workplace equality.
The availability of leave significantly impacts household financial planning and the division of caregiving duties for families. Parents in nations with lower statutory benefits must often rely on employer-specific policies or personal savings to bridge the gap during the first year of a childs life.
The takeaway
The research emphasizes that global parental leave standards vary dramatically by region, directly influencing the financial stability of new parents. Families should research their specific national and employer-provided benefits to manage the transition during the initial months of parenthood.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving global labor trends in Child Care.
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