South Korea Leads the World in Paid Leave for New Fathers
Seoul, Friday, 16 October 2026.
South Korea offers working fathers a record $42,800 in statutory paternity leave benefits, starkly contrasting with 51 nations that provide no paid parental leave for men.
Record-Breaking Paternity Benefits in South Korea
South Korea has secured the top global ranking for statutory paid paternity leave, offering fathers financial support exceeding 36 million South Korean won (KRW) [1]. This development comes as Seoul intensifies efforts to counteract severe demographic decline, contrasting sharply with 51 countries that provide no statutory paid parental leave for fathers [1][2]. The study, published on 15 October 2026, highlights a widening divide in international labor policies and workforce management strategies [1].
Methodology and Full-Pay Equivalents
Under the study’s model, which assumes a firstborn, non-adopted child and two private-sector working parents, South Korea offers 82 weeks of paid parental leave [1][3]. When measured by leave equivalent to full pay, the nation leads with 43.4 weeks, surpassing Estonia’s 38.2 weeks by 13.613 percent [1]. The methodology calculated these figures using World Bank average income per capita data adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity to account for cost-of-living differences [1].
Global Disparities and Health Impacts
Experts emphasize that paternal leave extends beyond workplace benefits, representing a significant public health issue impacting families and children [1]. The top 10 countries for paternity pay include Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, indicating a strong correlation between high-income economies and supportive family policies [1][3]. Meanwhile, nations such as the United States and New Zealand remain among those offering zero statutory paid paternity leave under the model’s parameters [1].