France Introduces Extra Parental Leave To Boost Birth Rates

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

The new policy comes into effect on Wednesday and allows parents to share an extra one or two months of paid leave in addition to existing maternity and paternity leave entitlements.

The measure wa part of a broader demographic strategy unveiled by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2024 to tackle infertility and encourage higher birth rates.

At the launch of the initiative last year, Macron said the reforms would help pave the way towards what he described as France’s “demographic re-armament.”

Before the latest changes, mothers in France were entitled to just under four months of paid maternity leave for a first child, while fathers could take 28 days of paid leave following the birth of a child.

Under the new arrangement, parents who take the additional leave will receive 70 per cent of their net salary during the first month and 60 per cent during the second month.

The provisions apply to parents of children born on or after January 1, 2026. Adoptive parents are also eligible for the scheme.

The policy 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 World War II, underscoring growing concerns about demographic decline and an ageing population.

However, feminist groups have criticised the reform, arguing that it falls short of advancing gender equality.

The groups contend that the lower-earning partner in a household, who is often the woman, is more likely to take the additional leave, potentially reinforcing existing caregiving imbalances.

French authorities say the measure is designed to provide greater support for families while addressing long-term demographic challenges facing the country.