Top 10 Nations to Be a Mom
On the second Sunday of May each year, mothers across the U.S. — as well as in Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and elsewhere — are presented with flowers, treated to brunch and honored in celebration of Mother’s Day. Year-round appreciation from their governments and societies, though, can help moms enjoy a special day of pampering that much more.
The top 10 Best Countries to Be a Mother scored highest in a compilation of five factors: maternity leave policies from the WORLD Policy Analysis Center, maternal mortality rates from the World Bank and the most favorable perceptions from women in three country attributes — safe, family-friendly and gender equality — from the Best Countries report, a characterization of 80 countries based on a survey more than 21,000 people from all regions of the world.
No. 10: Netherlands
The Netherlands became one of the first countries to introduce maternity protection laws, according to Population Europe Resource Finder & Archive, a European Union-backed research group. Introduced in 1919 and passed in 1930, the law provided 12 weeks of leave with full pay. The Dutch today have among the highest rates of planned home births. About 20 percent of births occur at home in the Netherlands, compared to less than 5 percent in most other developed economies.
No. 9: Australia
“Sleep schools” that help new parents manage their baby’s sleep patterns — and their own — are common in Australia, and most are government-subsidized through health care. Female participation in the labor force, though comparatively low, has increased 12 percent since 1990, according to World Bank data. Australian Senator Larissa Waters recently made history by becoming the first to breastfeed a child in the country’s federal Parliament.
No. 8: Switzerland
Women consider Switzerland to be the safest country, according to results from the Best Countries report. The top score in one of five factors used in the Best Countries to Be a Mother helped Switzerland rank well. It is also ranked the No. 1 Best Country overall.
No. 7: Austria
The “ideal” family size for Austrians is one of the smallest in the world, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with both men and women intending to have less than two children.
No. 6: New Zealand
In 2016, expanded parental leave policies took effect in New Zealand. The leave payment period increased from 14 to 18 weeks and tax credits for those who don’t receive paid leave also increased. Women consider the country to be the most family-friendly, according to results from the Best Countries report.
No. 5: Norway
Like its Nordic neighbors, Norway has generous parental leave policies. Mothers can take 35 weeks at full pay or 45 weeks at 80 percent pay, according to the World Economic Forum. The country also ranks consistently well in Save the Children’s annual State of the World’s Mothers report.
No. 4: Canada
In addition to traditional maternity protection laws, Canada recently established the Institutional Mother-Child Program that allows incarcerated mothers to raise their children full time through the age of four. The goals of the program are to “foster positive relationships” and “provide a supportive environment that promotes stability and continuity” between mothers and their young children.
No. 3: Finland
With less than three deaths per 100,000 births, Finland ties with Greece and Poland for the lowest maternal mortality rate among the 80 countries assessed in the U.S. News Best Countries survey. The Finnish government provides expectant mothers who visit their doctor with a baby box, equipped with bedding and various baby items.
No. 2: Denmark
Nearly all Danish children attend day care before they reach school age, as facilities are readily available and heavily subsidized by the government. Mothers often return to work and the country’s female labor participation rate is on par with that of males. Denmark is also considered the No. 2 Best Country for Women.
No. 1: Sweden
Pregnant women in Sweden are encouraged to enroll in free or subsidized prenatal care courses that help prepare them for the delivery and provide support. Once a child is born, the government provides parents a monthly allowance to help with the costs of raising a child, making it no surprise that Sweden is also considered the No. 1 Best Country to Raise Kids.
Want to Know More?
Explore more Best Countries data, rankings and news on U.S. News, including the Best Countries for Women and the Best Countries to Raise Kids.
More from U.S. News
Larissa Waters Becomes First Woman to Breastfeed an Infant in Australia’s Parliament
Best Countries to Be a Mother originally appeared on usnews.com
