Taking maternity leave

All of the industrialized nations except Australia and the USA now provide paid and job-protected maternity leave for employed women. The actual rate of pay varies between 50% and 100% of salary. In some countries paternity leave is also provided for. Sweden and Finland noticeably provide the most maternity leave: 52 to 65 weeks at a rate of pay that is fixed or equal to 80% of the salary, and 18 to 46 weeks at a rate of pay equalling 80% of the salary, respectively. Most industrialized countries give no more than 16 weeks paid maternity leave.