France Launches New Paid Parental Leave to Boost Birth Rate

France has launched new paid leave options for both mothers and fathers, a move President Emmanuel Macron hopes will reverse the nation's declining birth rate. Macron's plan, unveiled in 2024, aims for "demographic re-armament" by addressing declining fertility rates, which have become a concern across the European Union.

Previously, mothers were entitled to just under four months of paid maternity leave, while fathers received 28 days. The new regulations, effective from Wednesday, allow parents to share an additional one or two months of leave. During this extended period, parents will receive 70 percent of their net salary for the first month and 60 percent for the second. These provisions apply to children born on or after January 1, 2026, and also extend to adoptive parents.

France recorded fewer births than deaths in 2023 for the first time since World War II, according to the National Statistics Institute, highlighting the demographic challenge. The government's initiative seeks to encourage more births by providing greater flexibility and support to parents.

However, the reform has drawn criticism from feminist groups. They contend that the policy may not effectively advance gender equality. Their concern is that the additional leave, particularly the unpaid portion or the lower salary compensation, will disproportionately be taken by the lower-earning partner, which is typically the woman. This could potentially reinforce existing gender roles rather than challenge them.

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demographic re-armament