Parents: Paternity Leave In 5 Questions
During the press conference on January 16, 2024, Emmanuel Macron announced the creation of a new birth leave. Here is what we know about this measure aimed at boosting the birth rate in France.
Why establish a new holiday for young parents?
During his televised address on January 16th, the President of the Republic announced the creation of a new birth leave.
This measure is intended to replace the current parental leave, which is underutilized. According to a 2021 study by the OFCE, less than 1% of fathers take this leave. Furthermore, the number of parents using this provision has decreased from 500,000 in 2013 to 246,000 in 2020, according to government figures.
This initiative is also part of a broad plan to combat infertility, among measures aimed at boosting birth rates in France. In his televised speech, Emmanuel Macron even referred to the "demographic rearmament" of our country.
When will the birth leave come into effect?
The new birth leave is expected to come into effect in the course of 2025. Indeed, to be adopted, this measure must go through the Social Security Financing Bill (PLFSS).
The government plans to introduce this new provision in the next PLFSS, in the fall of 2024, for it to come into effect during 2025.
What is the duration of the new birth leave?
The new birth leave was introduced by the President of the Republic as a link between the existing leaves, namely:
- maternity leave lasting 16 weeks.
- paternity leave lasting 28 days.
According to the government, this scheme, which supplements paternity and maternity leave, is intended to allow new parents to stay with their child for a total of 6 months.
The practical details of this leave are still to be discussed with social partners, so it has not yet been decided whether this leave can be taken simultaneously by both parents or consecutively...
The modalities of transition from the current system, which can last up to 3 years, to the new 6-month leave also need to be discussed.
4- What is the compensation for the new birth leave?
Among the innovations introduced by the birth leave, the government plans for the compensation for this leave to no longer be a social benefit with a fixed amount.
The idea is to implement a daily indemnity system that is the same for both maternity and paternity leave. Thus, the compensation received will correspond to a percentage of the previous salary. The level of this percentage has not yet been set, but should be more attractive for parents than the current scheme.
The government, concerned about the decline in birth rates, wants to encourage parents to put their professional activity on hold to take care of their baby. This leave will be shorter but better paid than the current one, in order to limit the loss of income for parents.
Who will finance the new birth leave?
According to the announcements of the President of the Republic, a portion of the compensation will be funded by Social Security, up to a ceiling of €1,800 per month.
The birth leave compensation may potentially be supplemented by the employer to reach 100% of the previous salary.
Regarding compensation, this new leave aims to be more attractive than the current parental leave. The parental leave, created in 1977, struggled to appeal to young parents due to its low compensation (€429 per month in 2024).
