United States

If you’ve been employed for 12 months or more, you’re entitled to 12 weeks off, unpaid. Here’s the catch: Only companies with more than 50 employees are covered by the law, which means that more than half of American businesses are exempt. And fewer than one-fifth of U.S. companies voluntarily offer paid maternity leave.

Only Swaziland and Papua New Guinea — where the GDP per capita is $5,400 and $2,600 respectively — have such abysmal policies for new parents. Thanks, Uncle Sam.