Singapore ranked among highest for paid paternity leave: UK study
A study by Moorepay, a payroll company in the United Kingdom (UK), reveals that Singapore has the world’s 13th-highest statutory paid paternity leave.
It notes that Singapore offers fathers USD$8,773, which amounts to about S$11,240.
Source: Mark Baldovino on Pexels, for illustration purposes only
In comparison, South Korea tops the list with a pay of US$23,425 (S$30,018).
Singapore ranks 13th highest in the world, higher than Spain, Canada and the Netherlands
According to Moorepay’s findings, Singapore ranks 13th in the world for the highest statutory paid paternity leave.
This equates to 14,116 international dollars when adjusted for the local cost of living.
Image provided by Moorepay
The wider study also calculated how much paid paternity leave is worth in equivalent weeks of full pay across 167 countries.
They found that paternity pay in Singapore is equivalent to nine weeks of work at the full national average pay.
South Korea ranks 1st in the world
Moorepay found that South Korea has the most valuable paternity leave both in absolute terms and when adjusted for local purchasing power.
Source: Gije Cho on Pexels, for illustration purposes only
South Korea offers up to 18 months of leave at a variable rate, allowing the average South Korean father to earn just over KRW 36,000,000 (S$34,000).
This amount is nearly three and a half times the £4,010 (S$6,870) that an average UK father can claim.
Additionally, South Korea provides the longest full-pay equivalent leave at 43.4 weeks, compared to just nine weeks in Singapore.
Image provided by Moorepay
Conducted study through a model paternity situation
Moorepay conducted desk research in each country’s native language to gather the most up-to-date rules on statutory paid paternity leave and statutory paid parental leave for fathers.
Source: Kampus Production on Pexels, for illustration purposes only
To ensure a fair, like-for-like comparison, Moorepay standardised the scenario based on a firstborn, only child born to two working parents.
They then used government and other reliable sources from each country to determine what kind of statutory paid parental leave this model father would be eligible for.
Why paternity leave can be beneficial for fathers
Paternity leave is a statutory benefit that allows working fathers paid time off to care for their newborn child and support their spouse as she recovers from childbirth.
This can also help improve their well-being during a period when “many fathers feel the strain”.
Source: Amodita’s Frame on Pexels, for illustration purposes only
Dr Craig Garfield, co-author of a paper on paternity leave status and mental health symptoms, said: “Bottom line, mental health and paternity leave are linked.”
“Our findings underscore that paternal leave is not just a workplace benefit, it’s a public health issue that can deeply impact families and children.”
Also read: S’pore listed as having highest average salary in ASEAN, KL ranks 2nd with S$4K gap
S’pore listed as having highest average salary in ASEAN, KL ranks 2nd with S$4K gap
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Featured image adapted from Amodita’s Frame and Mark Baldovino on Pexels.