Finnish fathers are taking more parental leave after Finland’s family leave reform of August 2022, with new data from Kela indicating a clear rise in uptake and steadier regional patterns than in previous years. The shift arrives as Finland marked Father’s Day on 9 November 2025 with the first state decorations for exemplary dads.
What changed with the 2022 family leave reform
Finland’s family leave reform (implemented on 1 August 2022) set a total of 320 parental allowance days per child, divided equally between parents (160 + 160). Up to 63 days are transferable, but at least 97 days remain non-transferable for each parent.
Benefits can be used until the child turns two, and in several parts, providing flexibility for different family constellations. The reform’s stated aim was to increase equality at home and at work and to better recognise diverse families.
Fathers’ parental leave uptake: 22% of allowance days and Åland’s outlier
Kela’s latest figures show that fathers accounted for just over 22% of all parental allowance days between January and September 2025—about two percentage points more than in the same period of 2024.
Regional differences appear modest overall, but the Åland Islands stand out, with fathers taking more than one quarter of all parental leave days in the first nine months of the year. While the trend confirms the reform’s intended effect, uptake still varies by household circumstances and local labour-market conditions.
From equality goals to EU benchmarks
The reform aligns Finland with EU work‑life balance standards, which require non‑transferable leave for each parent to encourage more equal care. Finland goes beyond the EU minimum by offering a larger total of parental leave days and by reserving a substantial non‑transferable share for each parent.
This reflects a broader Nordic approach that links gender equality at home with labour‑market participation and long‑term demographic considerations.
Symbolism and recognition on father’s day
To underscore changing norms around caregiving, President Alexander Stubb awarded 48 fathers the Medal of the White Rose of Finland (First Class with Gold Cross) during the national Father’s Day celebration at the Presidential Palace—the first time such honours have been conferred on fathers. Comparable decorations have been granted on Mother’s Day since 1946.
What to watch next
Further growth in Finnish fathers’ parental leave will depend on workplace practices, collective agreements and awareness among families about non‑transferable entitlements.
Researchers and policymakers will track whether the rising share of days taken by fathers translates into longer average spells of leave, and whether regional gaps—including Åland’s higher uptake—narrow or stabilise. As Nordic countries continue to debate family policy, Finland’s model will remain a reference point in EU discussions on care, equality and employment.
