A new study by global employment specialists Remote highlights the top countries for parental work-life balance, evaluating factors such as parental leave policies, annual leave entitlements, childcare costs, and access to healthcare.
The research focused on 20 leading countries and revealed that Nordic nations dominate the rankings.
Norway, Sweden, and Denmark emerged as the top three countries for supporting working parents. The study found that Europe is the leading continent in this regard, with European countries occupying eight of the top ten positions. The top ten countries for parental work-life balance, in order, are Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, New Zealand, Poland, Italy, France, Germany, and Japan.
Key Findings on Maternity and Paternity Leave
Spain and Poland were highlighted for their exceptional maternity and paternity leave policies, based on the duration of leave and payment rates. New Zealand, which topped Remote’s Global Work-Life Balance Index in 2023, also ranked highly, coming in fifth for its parental support policies.
The study noted that the United Kingdom, with an index score of 60.06 out of 100, narrowly missed the top ten. High childcare costs were identified as a significant factor contributing to the UK’s lower ranking. Conversely, the United States ranked the lowest, with a lack of statutory leave and a complex healthcare system that often penalises low-income families.
The study’s detailed analysis of parental leave policies placed Spain and Poland at the forefront. These countries scored highest in terms of leave duration and payment rates, offering robust support for new parents.
New Zealand’s strong performance, ranking fifth, underscores its comprehensive parental support measures, contributing to its reputation for excellent work-life balance.
UK’s High Childcare Costs Impact Ranking
Despite its comprehensive healthcare system and other support mechanisms, the United Kingdom was just shy of the top ten, with an index score of 60.06 out of 100. The high cost of childcare was a significant factor in its ranking, highlighting an area where improvements could enhance support for working parents.
The United States ranked lowest in the study, primarily due to the absence of statutory parental leave and a complicated healthcare system that poses challenges for low-income families. This ranking underscores the need for more comprehensive parental support policies to improve the work-life balance for American parents.
