Polish fathers are changing their habits. Surprising ZUS data

On Father’s Day, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) published data showing that since the extension of parental leave, the number of fathers who decide to use it has been increasing year by year.

Let us remind you that from April 2023, parental leave lasts 9 weeks longer. The rule is that mom and dad have 9 weeks of leave each, which they cannot transfer to the other caregiver. The unused part of the leave will be forfeited.

More and more fathers are on parental leave

Before the changes were introduced, a male parent was rare. It turns out that they gave an impulse to become more involved in caring for children. Data presented by ZUS show that in 2024, almost 42,000 people took leave. men, while last year there were almost 57,000 of them. This year (from January to May), 28,000 people have already taken leave. gentlemen.

In addition to parental leave, it is also possible to take two weeks of paternity leave. Although this solution has been in use for over a dozen years, the percentage of men who use it has been decreasing recently, and this is not justified by the decline in the number of births in Poland. According to ZUS, in 2024, over 162,000 people received maternity benefits during paternity leave. men, and last year approx. 137 thousand. In the period January-May this year. it was over 53 thousand. fathers.

ZUS reminds that, together with the Share The Care Foundation, it is conducting an information campaign “Equal at home – equal at work. It benefits everyone.” The campaign aims to build awareness that parental equality and equality in the labor market are two sides of the same coin, and to show that this balance benefits women, men, children, as well as employers, society and the economy.