Most working people in the United States – 73 percent, or 106 million people nationwide – do not have paid family leave through their jobs. Just 14 states have their own paid family and medical leave programs. For working people everywhere else, the lack of paid leave exacerbates other economic and care challenges – from the rising cost of living, to a scarcity of reproductive and maternal health care, to a rising number of aging loved ones to care for – with devastating costs for workers and their families, public health and our economy.
Nationally, if women participated in the U.S. labor force at the same rate as in countries with national paid leave and other family policies, our economy would benefit from more than $775 billion in additional economic activity each year.
Our new state-by-state analysis highlights the significant and growing need for a national paid family and medical leave law that covers workers in all 51 states (including D.C.).
The United States’ paid leave crisis is especially acute in light of the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022. States that have taken the lead on providing paid leave are also among the most protective of abortion rights, while no state that has banned or is likely to ban abortion provides paid leave to all workers. Learn more in our report, Threats on All Fronts: The Links Between the Lack of Abortion Access, Health Care and Workplace Equity.
The United States needs a common sense, national paid leave program.
We recommend one that:
- includes all workers, no matter where they live or work or what kind of job they have;
- replaces enough income that workers at any income level can afford leave;
- provides enough time and covers the range of major needs workers face, including addressing their own health conditions, caring for seriously ill, injured or disabled family members and welcoming newborn, newly adopted or foster children;
- provides education and outreach to ease implementation for workers and small businesses; and
- has a sustainable funding source that is affordable for workers, employers and the government without harming other essential programs.
National paid family and medical leave means a stronger economy, healthier and more economically secure families and businesses, and greater equality for all women and families.
Select a state below for more on how the lack of national paid leave affects people in that state.
Download the fact sheets for each state:
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming
