Fully covered by national health insurance
✅ Free
Free
Parental leave 480 days
Universal healthcare covers all birth costs
✅ Free
Free
49 weeks parental leave
State-funded maternity hospitals
✅ Free
Free
Baby box from government
100% covered by social security
✅ Free
Free
16 weeks maternity leave
Statutory insurance covers delivery
✅ Free
Free
14 weeks maternity leave
NHS covers all maternity costs
✅ Free
Free via NHS
52 weeks maternity leave
Provincial health plans cover delivery
✅ Free
Free
18 months parental leave
Government birth grant covers most costs
💛 Affordable
Grant ¥500,000
14 weeks maternity leave
Public hospitals are free, private vary widely
💛 Affordable
Very affordable
26 weeks maternity leave
Government hospitals free, private clinics vary
💛 Affordable
Public: Free
Affordable private
Public hospitals covered, private clinics extra
💛 Affordable
Public: Free
3 months maternity leave
MOH hospitals free for nationals
✅ Free
Free for nationals
10 weeks maternity leave
Private hospitals vary; some insurance required
❤️ Costly
Insurance needed
45 days maternity leave
State hospitals low cost, private up to $3,000
💙 Mid-range
Affordable public
16 weeks maternity leave
Government hospitals largely free
💛 Affordable
Public: Free
72 days maternity leave
SUS public system covers all births
✅ Free
Free via SUS
120 days maternity leave
IMSS covers employees; others pay out-of-pocket
💙 Mid-range
IMSS members: Free
12 weeks maternity leave
Highest birth cost in the developed world
❤️ Costly
Insurance dependent
12 weeks (unpaid)
Medicare covers public hospital birth
✅ Free
Free via Medicare
18 weeks paid leave
Public hospitals affordable, private more
💙 Mid-range
Insurance subsidized
98 days maternity leave
NHIS covers 90% of delivery costs
💙 Mid-range
90% covered
90 days maternity leave
BPJS national insurance covers delivery
💛 Affordable
BPJS covered
3 months maternity leave
Public hospitals nominal fee, private varies
💛 Affordable
Low cost public
12 weeks maternity
Public free, private hospitals costly
💙 Mid-range
Public: Free
4 months maternity leave
Medisave & subsidies reduce costs significantly
💙 Mid-range
Medisave eligible
16 weeks maternity leave
PhilHealth covers majority of delivery costs
💛 Affordable
PhilHealth covered
105 days maternity
🏥 Public vs Private Hospital
In most countries, public hospitals offer free or heavily subsidized delivery. Private hospitals can cost 5-10x more but offer more comfort and shorter wait times.
🌍 Universal Healthcare
Countries with universal healthcare (Sweden, UK, France, Canada) have near-zero out-of-pocket costs. The USA is the notable exception among developed nations.
💊 C-Section vs Natural Birth
Caesarean sections typically cost 40-60% more than vaginal deliveries due to longer hospital stays, anesthesia, and surgical team fees.
📋 Hidden Costs
Beyond delivery: prenatal vitamins, ultrasounds, blood tests, baby equipment, and postnatal care can add $2,000-$5,000 even in countries with "free" healthcare.