The current standard for the duration of maternity leave is 14 weeks, as provided for in the Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183). The previous Convention had specified 12 weeks.

Out of 166 ILO member States for which the Office has information, maternity leave as legislated nationally is less than 12 weeks in 16 per cent. Thus 84 per cent have a duration which meets the 12-week standard of the earlier convention. In addition 47 per cent (78 countries) provide for a duration of at least 14 weeks, the minimum specified in Convention No. 183.

The database on maternity protection on national legislation is currently being updated and will be available online as from late 2004.