The number of recipients of parental leave benefits in the first half of this year surpassed 100,000, the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) said on the 12th. The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) said that at this pace, the number of recipients is expected to hit an all-time high by the end of the year.
According to the "Analysis of utilization results for work-family balance support systems in the first half of 2026," released by the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) the same day, recipients of the four systems—parental leave, reduced working hours during childrearing, maternity leave, and paternity leave—totaled 199,911 in the first half. That is up 27,945 (16.2%) from the same period last year (171,966).
Of those, recipients of parental leave benefits numbered 103,983, an increase of 8,990 (9.5%) from the previous year (94,993). In particular, male recipients of parental leave benefits totaled 40,320, accounting for 38.8% of the total. The share of men taking parental leave topped 30% for the first time in 2024.
Meanwhile, starting Aug. 20, a "short-term parental leave" system will begin, allowing one leave per year for one or two weeks. This leave can be used when a short-term care gap arises due to a child's daycare or school closure or vacation, hospitalization due to illness or accident, or suspension of attendance at daycare or school due to an infectious disease.
Starting Sept. 18, a "three-piece spouse support package" will take effect. Spousal miscarriage or stillbirth leave can be used within a five-day limit, with the first three days guaranteed as paid. Paternity and maternity leave for spouses, previously available only after childbirth, can be used starting 50 days before the expected due date. For male workers, if the purpose is to care for a pregnant spouse at risk of miscarriage or preterm birth, parental leave can be used even before the child is born.