Expenditure on birth permits rises 8.3% and reaches 3,260 million in 2022

Spending on benefits for birth and child care amounted to 3,260.2 million euros in 2022, with an increase of 8.3% compared to the same period of the previous year. In total, 473,720 permits were processed throughout the year, which represents an increase of 0.4% in relation to the data for 2021. The figures have been published this Friday by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations. Of the total requests, 224,359 corresponded to the first parent, usually the mother, and 249,361, to the second parent, who is usually the father.

The childbirth and care benefit replaced the old maternity and paternity benefits when it entered into force on January 1, 2021 and has meant the complete equalization of both. Both parents have a total of 16 non-transferable weeks each. Of these, the first four must be enjoyed uninterruptedly after the birth and the rest can be distributed until the child is 12 months old.

By autonomous communities, the highest number of benefits for birth and child care has been recognized in Andalusia, with 86,106; Catalonia, with 84,287; Madrid, with 78,134; and the Valencian Community, with 48,372. These communities are also those with the largest number of inhabitants in Spain.

On the other hand, the number of leaves of absence to care for a child, foster child or family member discharged in 2022 was 47,455. Of these, 33,290 corresponded to women —70.2%— and 14,165 to men, which is equivalent to 29.8%. In the case of leaves of absence, they were reduced by 1% compared to 2021. Madrid (9,822), Catalonia (7,322), Andalusia (5,279) and the Valencian Community (4,866) are the regions with the most leaves of absence processed.

As regards remuneration, it can be requested by all workers included in the general regime or in the special Social Security regimes. The amount of these benefits is equivalent to the contribution base for the month prior to the birth, adoption, guardianship or foster care, and is paid directly by the National Social Security Institute (INSS) during the weeks the leave lasts. In addition, parents who receive this type of income from the birth or adoption of a child do not have to declare these amounts in the personal income tax (IRPF).