Postpartum Depression Rates Drop After Hong Kong Extends Maternity Leave

It’s no surprise that a little more time with a newborn can make a big difference, and Hong Kong has recently shown just how impactful that extra time can be.

A new study published in the medical journal Health Affairs examined the effects of Hong Kong’s 2020 decision to align its paid maternity leave with the International Labour Organisation’s recommended minimum of 14 weeks up from just 10 weeks.

The study looked at 1,414 eligible mothers (mostly skilled workers with an average age of 32) who gave birth before (August 2020 to December 2020) and after (December 2020 to July 2022) the policy change. The results were striking: postpartum depression symptoms dropped by 22 percent in mothers after the policy change, and there was a 33 percent decrease in mothers reporting that their emotional well-being negatively affected their ability to care for their babies.

This policy shift marks a significant step in a region where postpartum depression rates (30 percent) far exceed the global average (18 percent). Researchers at HKUMed underscored that even a small change can have profound results. “Even a modest change in policy—an additional four weeks of paid leave—was associated with significant mental health benefits,” Dr. Quan Jianchao, a Clinical Assistant Professor in HKUMed’s School of Public Health, said in a press release. In a city already struggling with a shrinking female workforce, the policy also offers long-term benefits in workplace retention.

The study offers a compelling look at the impact of paid maternity leave, a lesson that resonates particularly in the US, which continues to grapple with labor shortages and maternal mental health challenges, yet remains one of just six countries and the only high-income country with no national paid family and medical leave.

If you are interested in supporting federal paid parental leave in the US, consider getting involved by volunteering with or donating to organizations like Chamber for Mothers, Paid Leave for the US and Paid Leave for All. Every action, big or small, helps move the U.S. closer to a better future for parents and their children.