Sweden’s Parental Leave Policy

Sweden’s parental leave policy offers parents up to 480 days of leave per child, with income-based pay for about 390 days. This leave can be shared between mothers and fathers, encouraging gender equality. A portion of the days (90) are reserved specifically for each parent, promoting both parents’ involvement. The remaining days are flexible, allowing families to decide how to best balance work and childcare. The policy aims to support family well-being, gender equality, and workforce participation, making it one of the most generous and flexible parental leave systems globally.