Average wages

Average wages help calculate compareable figures for income replacement.

CountryGross yearly (local currency)Tax rateNet yearly (local currency)Exchange rateMean gender wage gapWoman net weekly (EUR)Man net weekly (EUR)
1.Germany€50,257.0037.44%€31,440.78117.3%€547.38€661.88
2.Netherlands€58,248.0027.19%€42,410.37110.1%€772.21€858.96
3.UK£44,806.0021.42%£35,208.551.1616.1%€716.66€854.18
4.USA$82,933.0024.39%$62,705.640.8519.4%€914.89€1,135.10

While median wages would be more representative, they are not used due to limited data availability.

Years are assumed to be 52 weeks.

See Terminology for definitions of gender wage gap and tax rate.

Protected leave entitlement for new parents

Total consecutive weeks of workplace-protected leave for new parents, combining maternity, paternity, and parental leave entitlements.

CountryMaternity leaveParental leave for birth parentShareable birth leavePaternity leaveParental leave for non-birth parentTotal
1.Germany14 weeks156.5 weeks0 weeks0 weeks156.5 weeks319 weeks
2.Netherlands16 weeks26 weeks0 weeks6 weeks26 weeks74 weeks
3.UK6 weeks4 weeks46 weeks2 weeks4 weeks62 weeks
4.USA12 weeks0 weeks0 weeks12 weeks0 weeks24 weeks

Income replacement for birth parent taking only paid leave

Total government-guaranteed post-tax support for birth parents who take their full paid leave entitlement, whether funded directly by the government or mandated for employers or insurance to provide.

CountryMaternity leaveShareable leaveParental leaveMaternity payParental leave payTotal net pay
1.Germany14 weeks0 weeks44 weeks€7,663.28€15,895.84€23,559.13
2.Netherlands16 weeks0 weeks9 weeks€12,355.30€4,864.90€17,220.20
3.UK6 weeks33 weeks0 weeks€10,492.26€0.00€10,492.26
4.USA0 weeks0 weeks0 weeks€0.00€0.00€0.00

All amounts shown in Euros and calculated based on Average wages.

Shareable entitlements are always attributed to the birth parent.

Income replacement for non-birth parent taking only paid leave

Total government-guaranteed post-tax support for non-birth parents who take their full paid leave entitlement, whether funded directly by the government or mandated for employers or insurance to provide.

CountryPaternity leaveParental leavePaternity payParental leave payTotal net pay
1.Germany0 weeks8.7 weeks€0.00€3,600.00€3,600.00
2.Netherlands6 weeks9 weeks€3,607.64€5,411.46€9,019.10
3.UK2 weeks0 weeks€347.41€0.00€347.41
4.USA0 weeks0 weeks€0.00€0.00€0.00

All amounts shown in Euros and calculated based on Average wages.

Shareable entitlements are always attributed to the birth parent.

Income replacement for parents during the birth year

To account for variations in protected leave, the data below shows the net financial support parents receive during the child’s birth year, assuming all available leave is taken.

CountryWeeks available for birth parentIncome replacement for birth parent during time offWeeks available for non-birth parentIncome replacement for non-birth parent during time off
1.Germany52 weeks€23,559.1352 weeks€3,600.00
2.Netherlands*42 weeks€17,220.2032 weeks€9,019.10
3.UK52 weeks€12,090.126 weeks€347.41
4.USA*12 weeks€0.0012 weeks€0.00

Countries in which birth parent has to go back to work are during the birth year are marked with *.

All amounts shown in Euros and calculated based on Average wages.

Shareable entitlements are always attributed to the birth parent.