Paternity leave Singapore

Singapore Going the Extra Mile: 4-Week Paternity Leave is Here!

Get ready, Dads! Starting April 2025, Singapore will make paternity leave mandatory, and it's about to get even better!

Attention all dads-to-be in Singapore! The government is here to lift the burdens of fatherhood with a groundbreaking announcement that will have you celebrating. Starting April 1, 2025, Singapore will mandate a whopping four weeks of government-paid paternity leave for all eligible working fathers. This means you’ll have ample time to bond with your newborn, change diapers, and probably even learn how to put together that complicated crib you’ve been avoiding!

But that’s not all! If you thought that was impressive, hold on to your baby bottles! In addition to the four mandatory weeks of paternity leave, there’s also an exciting provision for new parents. Parents will be given an extra 10 weeks of shared parental leave that can be split between both partners, which will roll out in phases. Essentially, more time for diaper-duty duty-sharing, and more time to bask in the lovely chaos that is new parenthood! The first phase of this shared leave kicks in by April 2026, giving employers a breather to adjust to these life-changing policies.

The changes were announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the National Day Rally this year. Wong emphasized that these adjustments are crucial for supporting working parents, thereby enhancing family life in Singapore. This reflects the government’s commitment to creating a family-friendly work environment and ensuring that fathers have the opportunity to be present in those precious early days. It’s a big win for family values in the Lion City!

Now, if you think being a new dad is tough, just wait until you hear what else is on the horizon! Starting next year, Singapore will also require employers to offer competitive parental leave packages—meaning businesses have to get their baby ducks in a row or fall behind in the game. For those not familiar, the government-run paternity leave is not only generous but also showcases Singapore’s ethos of placing families at the forefront of societal progress. Get your calendars ready, dads, because the countdown to Fatherhood 2.0 starts now!

Fun Fact: In Singapore, about 90% of fathers take advantage of paternity leave according to recent surveys. And did you know that the trend towards longer paternity leave is being embraced globally? Countries like Sweden offer up to 14 months of parental leave that can be shared, proving that sharing is caring—even when it comes to parenting!