Paid maternity leave and child mortality in Asia and the Pacific

Despite gains in reducing the mortality rates of infants and children in Asia and the Pacific, millions continue to die each year from preventable causes. A growing body of research highlights that more generous maternity leave has significant development benefits, especially with regard to infant mortality and child health outcomes. Little is known, however, about the impact of national maternity leave policies specifically in Asia and the Pacific. The objective of the present paper is to evaluate whether paid maternity leave affects infant and child mortality in 34 countries of Asia and the Pacific between 1991 and 2016, using a fixed effects model. The results indicate that national guarantees of paid maternity leave are associated with lower infant mortality overall and lower under-five mortality, in particular among the upper-middle income countries. These results are consistent with research indicating that paid maternity leave is likely to allow new mothers time to breastfeed, care for ill babies and ensure that their children receive vaccinations. Efforts to expand paid maternity leave across the region could make a substantial difference in parents' ability to care for their children and also facilitate the emotional and physical recovery of mothers, contribute towards increased income security, promote employment continuity and advance gender equality. In line with international standards, the duration of leave, wage replacement rate and extent of coverage should be carefully considered to ensure the full effectiveness of maternity leave policies. Furthermore, in the context of a burgeoning informal economy in which women are distinctly overrepresented, it is hoped that the findings of this paper will influence Asian and Pacific Governments to learn from the experience of other countries in ensuring legal provision of paid maternity leave and also extending much-needed maternity protection coverage to women workers beyond the formal sector.