Germany Urged to Reform Parental Leave System as Gender Disparities Persist

A new study highlights stark inequalities in parental leave, with women taking far longer leave than men, and proposes reforms to promote gender equality and economic growth.

• Women in Germany take an average of 11.6 months of parental leave compared to just 2.8 months for men, according to a new Bertelsmann Stiftung study.
• Fathers' participation in parental leave has risen to 46%, but three-quarters of them only take the minimum two partner months allowed under current policies.
• The study calls for reforms, including increasing partner months to at least four and raising income replacement rates from 65-67% to 80%, to encourage more equitable caregiving.
• Gender disparities in parental leave contribute to career breaks, lower income, and reduced pensions for women, while also limiting labor market participation and economic growth.
• Reforms could create up to 200,000 new full-time jobs and boost Germany's GDP by an estimated €16.5 billion, underscoring the societal and economic benefits of a more balanced system.

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