The number of fathers taking parental leave in Finland has doubled over the past five years, according to Yle News. The trend points to a clear shift in how families share early childcare, even though the balance remains uneven.

Women still take more parental leave than men, and they do so for longer stretches. That means the overall division of leave continues to favor mothers, despite the increase in fathers’ participation.

The figures matter because parental leave is closely tied to both family finances and equality in working life. A larger share of fathers on leave can gradually change expectations at home and at work, but the latest data shows that the traditional pattern is still dominant.