New report shows greater involvement from working fathers in caring for children
More fathers in Singapore are taking up paternity leave and childcare leave, according to new government data, indicating their more active role in caregiving.
The take-up rates of Government-Paid Paternity Leave went up to 61% for children born in 2024, surpassing the previous 47% for children born in 2016, the report from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) revealed.
The MSF's Family Trends Report also showed childcare leave take-up rates increased to 54% in 2024, above the previous 49% recorded in 2016.
"More fathers are involved in caring for their children," the MSF said.
Despite the recorded growth, the report found that take-up rate for paternity leave is still behind the 77% take-up rate for Government-Paid Maternity Leave, according to the MSF.
Similarly, the take-up rate for childcare leave is also higher for mothers, with 59%.
Leave benefits for parents
Singapore offers new working parents who have to juggle parenthood and employment up to 30 weeks of government-paid leave.
This includes a 16-week Government-Paid Maternity Leave, a four-week Government-Paid Paternity Leave, as well as a 10-week Shared Parental Leave.
Government-Paid Childcare Leave, for parents whose youngest child is under seven years old, offers up to six leave days every year and up to a total of 42 days per child.
The Extended Childcare Leave offers parents two leave days every year, totalling up to 12 days per child, for those whose youngest child is between seven and 12 years old.
"MSF encourages both mothers and fathers to make full use of their parental leave provisions to bond with their children and embrace parenthood together," the ministry said.
