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Made For Families

Government-Paid Maternity Leave

Find out about your eligibility, leave duration and payment details for the 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave available to working mothers.

Last updated on 20 October 2026
Family with children and newborn at home, surrounded by parenting and caregiving icons

If you are a working mother, you can take 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML) to recover from childbirth and care for your newborn.

The period of leave can start four weeks before the date of delivery. If you and your employer agree, you can start your maternity leave anytime within 28 days before delivery, and no later than the date of your delivery. The 1st to 8th week should be taken in one continuous block. The 9th to 16th weeks of leave can be taken flexibly over a period of 12 months from your child's date of birth (inclusive of date of birth).

You are eligible for GPML if you meet all the following criteria:

  • Your child is a Singapore Citizen (SC) at birth;

  • Employees: You have worked for your employer for a continuous period of at least three months before your child is born;

  • Self-employed: You have been engaged in a particular business, trade, profession or vocation for a continuous period of at least three months before your child is born, and have lost income because you did not engage in your business, trade or profession during the GPML period.

Maternity leave payment breakdown by child order

Child Order

Paid By

Cap for Government-paid portion of Maternity Leave*

First and second child order

  • First eight weeks paid by employer

  • Last eight weeks paid by Government

  • $10,000 per four weeks

  • Up to $20,000 per child order

Note: The capped amounts are inclusive of CPF contributions

Third and subsequent child order

  • Full 16 weeks paid by Government

  • $10,000 per four weeks

  • Up to $40,000 per child order

Note: The capped amounts are inclusive of CPF contributions

You have to give your employer at least four weeks' notice before going on GPML, and inform them as soon as possible of your delivery.

Click here (opens in new tab) for more details on the application process.

Employment protection for mothers on GPML: It is unlawful for an employer to dismiss or give a notice of dismissal to a female employee on maternity leave. Employers who act in contravention are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, may face fines or imprisonment.

*Minimum Notice Period of four weeks: Parents are encouraged to inform their supervisors early if they are expecting a child and discuss their leave plans with supervisors as early as possible. To help employers better anticipate and adjust their manpower arrangements, employees are required to serve at least four weeks’ notice before taking GPML, Adoption Leave, the enhanced Government-Paid Paternity Leave and new Shared Parental Leave. Find out more at go.gov.sg/enhanced-parental-leave-ig (opens in new tab).

FAQs

1. How is child order determined for Government-Paid Maternity Leave?

Child order takes into consideration biological children, adopted-in children (who are below the age of 12 months at the point of Formal Intent to Adopt), and stillbirths or children who have passed away (applies to those whose estimated date of delivery, delivery date, or Formal Intent to Adopt is on or after 1 November 2021). In the case of biological children, multiple births (e.g. twins) are considered as one child order.

Stepchildren, foster children and adopted-out children (children adopted-out before the current child’s estimated date of delivery, delivery date, or Formal Intent to Adopt) are excluded in the computation of child order.

2. If my child is not a Singapore Citizen at birth but obtains citizenship subsequently, can I qualify for Government-Paid Maternity Leave?

If your child is not a Singapore Citizen at birth, you can still qualify for the Government-Paid Maternity Leave if he or she obtains Singapore Citizenship within 12 months from his or her date of birth, and if you meet the other eligibility criteria. The leave can only be consumed after your child obtains Singapore Citizenship and within 12 months from his or her date of birth.