A recent study concluded that the Finnish capital of Helsinki is the best city to start a family in the world, thanks to generous and paid maternity leave estimated at 1190 days of paid leave, according to the latest data provided by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for 2016, an average of 170 weeks.
In addition, Helsinki surpassed the rest of the cities as well with the high quality of education and the excellent medical assistance it provided. Some experts from Movinga have published a study that sheds light on cities all over the world that provide optimal conditions for building a family based on different criteria.
| Tallinn, Estonia ranks second by granting maternity and paternity leave for 1176 days (Baixabe) |
The Spanish newspaper, "The Thi" said in its report, that there are those who consider this new measure very exciting. On the other hand, others consider that the matter is still not necessary, while there are voices calling for the necessity of extending maternity leave taking into account the situation in other European countries.
It is noteworthy that the reconciliation measures between family and work prevailing in each country are a true reflection of their society, and families must take this matter and other aspects into consideration when having children.
Maternity and paternity leave
Here we monitor the ten cities that grant maternity and paternity leave:
1. Helsinki, Finland: 1,190 days.
2. Tallinn, Estonia: 1176 days.
| The city of Bratislava in the Slovak Republic grants maternity and paternity leave for 1148 days (Pixabe) |
3. Bratislava, Slovak Republic: 1148 days.
| Budapest, Hungary is ranked fourth, with 1127 days maternity and paternity leave granted (Pixabe) |
4. Budapest, Hungary: 1127 days.
5. Bucharest, Romania: 887 days.
6. Sofia, Bulgaria: 790 days.
7. Tokyo, Japan: 770 days.
8. Osaka, Japan: 770 days.
9. Prague, Czech Republic: 770 days.
10. Oslo, Norway: 707 days.
| All US cities do not grant maternity and paternity leave permanently, not even for one day (networking sites) |
Cities grant the least days of maternity and paternity leave
On the other hand, these are the cities that give their residents the least days of maternity and paternity leave:
1. All US cities: 0 days.
2. Taipei, Taiwan: 61 days.
3. Mexico City, Mexico: 91 days.
4. Buenos Aires, Argentina: 92 days.
5. Seoul, South Korea: 93 days.
6. Zurich, Switzerland: 98 days.
| Zurich, Switzerland is ranked sixth with 98 days of maternity and paternity leave (Pixaby) |
Madrid is 79th out of 150 cities
The newspaper pointed out that Spain started in 2020 with great news regarding maternity and paternity leave. During this year, parents can for the first time enjoy a 12-week vacation. The goal is that by 2021 the time will increase to 16 weeks. Madrid, Spain, ranks 79th out of the 150 cities that were monitored and analyzed.
| Spain started in 2020 with the decision to grant maternity and paternity leave for the first time up to 12 weeks (Getty Images) |
Difficulty in reconciling work and family life
"It is interesting to note the significant differences in the number of maternity and paternity leave days paid in the countries surveyed," the newspaper quoted Marta Blanco Ames, deputy head of marketing for Movinga.
Some of these cities may have an important infrastructure for education, health and safety, but if the system does not give parents maternity leave and paternity sufficient to allocate time to educate their sons and daughters, parents who work will have great difficulty in reconciling work and family life.
"It is easy to see how this could be a catalyst or deterrent to current or prospective parents who are considering moving to a new city to get new job opportunities," Marta concluded.