U.S. Maternity Benefits Lag

Out of 173 countries worldwide, the United States is one of only five that doesn't guarantee paid leave to give birth and care for a newborn.

How America's family-workplace policies compare

• Of the 168 countries that guarantee paid maternity and/or paternity leave, 98 offer 14 or more weeks. These include Russia, Lithuania and Finland (about three years, at least partially paid) and Sweden and Germany (about two years per couple for each birth). Only the United States, Lesotho, Liberia, Swaziland and Papua New Guinea don't guarantee leave with pay.
• Sixty-six countries grant fathers either paid paternity leave or paid parental leave, with 31 of those countries offering 14 or more weeks. The U.S. guarantees fathers no such paid leave.
• A minimum of 107 countries protect a working woman's right to breastfeed; at least 73 of them provide for paid pumping/feeding breaks. The U.S., however, does not guarantee the right to breastfeed or pump at work.