Swedish fathers' parental‑leave usage climbs to 90%

The share of fathers taking any parental‑leave during a child’s first two years has risen from just under 80 % to close to 90 % over the past fifteen years, according to data from Sweden’s Social Insurance Agency. The steepest growth is seen among fathers with low education, low earnings and those born abroad. Professor Anna‑Zofie Duvander of Stockholm University notes that this group traditionally takes less paternity leave, making the increase especially significant. Business controller Philip Stolina, who is on four‑month paternity leave with his second son, says, “It’s very important to build a connection with them right from the start.”