Majority of French Fathers Fully Utilize Extended Paternity Leave After 2021 Reform

Since its extension in 2021 from 11 to 25 days, paternity leave in France has seen increasing uptake, with 59% of fathers taking the full leave in 2022 according to a National Institute of Demographic Studies (Ined) report. The proportion of fathers extending their leave beyond the mandatory initial week rose to 81% between 2021 and 2023, continuing a growth trend on paternal involvement that began in the 2000s. The reform's goals include strengthening father-child bonds and reducing gender inequalities both at home and professionally, albeit disparities remain based largely on employment stability. Fathers employed in stable roles such as civil servants or permanent private sector workers have a much higher paternity leave uptake—around 90%—compared to those on fixed-term contracts, self-employed, or unemployed who take less leave. Anne Solaz of Ined notes that the main barrier to taking paternity leave has shifted from cultural to financial constraints, signaling evolving social norms around fatherhood in France. Although France’s paternity leave is now more normalized, the country still offers shorter paternal leave than neighbors like Spain, which provides 19 weeks. Looking ahead, a new birth leave policy launching in July 2024 will allow parents up to two additional months off with partial salary compensation, aiming to encourage higher birth rates and further support families.