France Introduces New Paid Parental Leave to Boost Birth Rate

France Introduces New Paid Parental Leave to Boost Birth Rate

France has introduced a new paid parental leave scheme for both mothers and fathers as part of efforts to tackle the country’s declining birth rate.

The new policy, which took effect on Wednesday, forms part of reforms championed by President Emmanuel Macron to encourage family growth and address demographic challenges.

Macron had unveiled the initiative in 2024, alongside measures aimed at combating infertility and reversing the country’s falling birth rate, describing the effort as part of France’s “demographic re-armament.”

Before the reform, paid maternity leave for a first child lasted just under four months, while fathers were entitled to 28 days of paid leave after the birth of a child.

Under the new rules, parents can now share an additional one or two months of paid leave on top of their existing entitlements.

During the first month of the additional leave, parents will receive 70 per cent of their net salary, while the second month will be compensated at 60 per cent.

The provisions apply to parents of children born on or after January 1, 2026, and also extend to adoptive parents.

The reform comes as fertility rates continue to decline across the European Union. According to France’s National Statistics Institute, the country recorded fewer births than deaths in 2024 for the first time since the end of the Second World War.

However, some feminist organisations argue that the reform does not go far enough to promote gender equality. They contend that because women generally earn less than men, mothers are still more likely to take the additional leave, limiting the policy’s impact on balancing childcare responsibilities between parents.

France Introduces New Paid Parental Leave to Boost Birth Rate