Denmark sees rise in private‑sector fathers' parental leave

A new analysis by the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Djøf) shows that private‑sector fathers in Denmark are taking longer parental leave. The average duration has risen to 15.2 weeks, up from 12.7 weeks in 2023, four years after a 2022 reform that added nine weeks of earmarked leave for fathers. Women’s average leave remains at 33.5 weeks.

The study also notes that the number of weeks with full pay during leave increased to 20 weeks in 2025, compared with 12 weeks in 2021 for those covered by the extended rules. However, many parents still lack paid leave because they are not entitled to it or have not been employed long enough, limiting gender equality and labour‑market mobility. Djøf chair Sara Vergo welcomed the longer fatherly leave but stressed that “we are far from the goal” and called for better wage rights during parental leave.