South Africa is among the countries offering the worst maternity pay in the world, according to the Global Maternity Leave Report for 2025, published by UK-based payroll and HR services provider Moorepay.
The report found that South Africa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and the United States all offer no statutory maternity pay, placing them at the very bottom of the global rankings.
By contrast, Norway tops the list, with maximum statutory maternity pay worth the equivalent of $73,955 (about R1,284,000) while the UK provides an average of $12,880 (about R223,000).
The absence of guaranteed maternity pay in South Africa means new mothers often have to rely on unpaid leave, employer-specific benefits, or the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), which covers only a portion of income. Experts say this gap adds financial strain to families and underscores the need for stronger policy measures to support working mothers, promote workplace equality, and improve early childhood care.
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