11. United KingdomLife for mothers in the U.K. is pretty great. They get a generous 52 weeks of maternity leave at 90 percent of their salary, and the U.K. has the highest number of women using contraception – 84 percent – of all 43 developed countries. Its ratio of femaleLife for mothers in the U.K. is pretty great. They get a generous 52 weeks of maternity leave at 90 percent of their salary, and the U.K. has the highest number of women using contraception – 84 percent – of all 43 developed countries. Its ratio of female-to-male earnings is also solid (0.67), but participation of women in national government is relatively low with only 22 percent of seats held by women.Andrew Winning/Reuters10. NetherlandsThough the Netherlands didn’t win in any of the categories, it had solid stats across the board and tied with the U.K. in their overall score. Women there can expect to live to 83 years of age, attend school for 17 years, and 67 percent of women use contrThough the Netherlands didn’t win in any of the categories, it had solid stats across the board and tied with the U.K. in their overall score. Women there can expect to live to 83 years of age, attend school for 17 years, and 67 percent of women use contraception. The country offers 16 weeks of maternity leave at 100 percent pay, and the number of seats held by women in national government is high at 39 percent.Nikada/iStockphotoIrelandIrish women have as the lowest lifetime risk of maternal death out of all 43 developed countries (1 in 17,800 women), women are expected to attend 19 years of formal schooling and maternity leave is great – 26 weeks at about 80 percent pay. The downsides?Irish women have as the lowest lifetime risk of maternal death out of all 43 developed countries (1 in 17,800 women), women are expected to attend 19 years of formal schooling and maternity leave is great – 26 weeks at about 80 percent pay. The downsides? Only 19 percent of seats are held by women in national government, and the percent of women using contraception was on the low end at 61 percent.Elzbieta SekowskaBelgiumBelgium made the list because its lifetime risk of maternal death is very low (1 in 10,900 women), 73 percent of women use contraception, 39 percent of seats in national government are held by women, and its preschool and secondary school enrollment rateBelgium made the list because its lifetime risk of maternal death is very low (1 in 10,900 women), 73 percent of women use contraception, 39 percent of seats in national government are held by women, and its preschool and secondary school enrollment rates are one of the highest. The only downside is that its maternity leave is only so-so compared to the other top 11 countries: 15 weeks with 82 percent pay for the first 30 days and 75 percent for the remaining time.Franky De Meyer/iStockphoto7. AustraliaAussie women luck out when it comes to lifetime expectancy (84 years) and the time they’re expected to spend in formal schooling (20 years). They also get a generous 12 months of maternity leave of with 18 weeks paid, and have a high ratio of female-to-maAussie women luck out when it comes to lifetime expectancy (84 years) and the time they’re expected to spend in formal schooling (20 years). They also get a generous 12 months of maternity leave of with 18 weeks paid, and have a high ratio of female-to-male earnings (0.70), with 71 percent of them using contraception.MoMorad/iStockphotoFinlandThis lush Nordic country has one of the highest rates of women using contraception (75 percent), great maternity benefits (21 weeks at 70 percent pay), a very high ratio of female-to-male earnings (0.73), and has one of the highest percentages of women inThis lush Nordic country has one of the highest rates of women using contraception (75 percent), great maternity benefits (21 weeks at 70 percent pay), a very high ratio of female-to-male earnings (0.73), and has one of the highest percentages of women in national government (43 percent of seats).BillOrange Studio/iStockphotoDenmarkDenmark has the best female-to-male earnings ratio of any developed country (0.74). It also received high marks for the low risk of maternal death (1 in every 10,900 women), excellent maternity leave benefits (52 weeks at 100 percent pay), and high contraDenmark has the best female-to-male earnings ratio of any developed country (0.74). It also received high marks for the low risk of maternal death (1 in every 10,900 women), excellent maternity leave benefits (52 weeks at 100 percent pay), and high contraceptive use (72 percent of women).Oversnap/iStockphoto4. New ZealandAlthough women in New Zealand only get 14 weeks off work for maternity leave (not much better than the U.S.’s 12), they receive a full salary during that time. The number of years females are expected to be in formal education there is high (20 years), asAlthough women in New Zealand only get 14 weeks off work for maternity leave (not much better than the U.S.’s 12), they receive a full salary during that time. The number of years females are expected to be in formal education there is high (20 years), as is the ratio of female-to-male earnings (0.69). The number of women using contraception is also high at 72 percent.Vladimir Piskunov/iStockphotoSwedenThough Sweden’s use of contraception pales in comparison to Norway (65 percent of women vs. 82 percent respectively), its major win is in maternity leave – 15 months (five times what mothers in the U.S. get), at 80 percent pay – the best perks of any deveThough Sweden’s use of contraception pales in comparison to Norway (65 percent of women vs. 82 percent respectively), its major win is in maternity leave – 15 months (five times what mothers in the U.S. get), at 80 percent pay – the best perks of any developed country. It also has the highest participation of women in government, with 45 percent of seats held by women. In addition, it has excellent preschool and secondary school enrollment, and the risk of maternal death in Sweden is very low (1 in 11,400 women).Oleksiy Mark/iStockphoto2. IcelandThe life expectancy for women in Iceland is among the highest of all 43 developed countries at 84 years, and women stay in school for an average of 20 years – also one of the highest. Mothers get about the same amount of maternity leave as in the U.S. – 1The life expectancy for women in Iceland is among the highest of all 43 developed countries at 84 years, and women stay in school for an average of 20 years – also one of the highest. Mothers get about the same amount of maternity leave as in the U.S. – 12 weeks, but receive about 80 percent of their wages during that time. Ireland also has very high preschool and secondary school enrollment, and its under-five-mortality rate for children is the lowest.Rob Broek/iStockphotoNorwayAnd the winner is...Norway, which received glowing reviews across all categories. It ranked among the best in contraceptive use (82 percent of women); maternity leave policies (36 to 46 paid weeks); female education and political representation (40 percenAnd the winner is...Norway, which received glowing reviews across all categories. It ranked among the best in contraceptive use (82 percent of women); maternity leave policies (36 to 46 paid weeks); female education and political representation (40 percent of national government seats are held by women); a very low under-5 mortality rate; and the best female-to-male income ratio (0.77).Ziutograf
