Austria recorded 276 stillbirths last year, representing a rate of 3.6 per 1,000 live births. Under current law, births are classified as stillbirths if the child weighs over 500 grams, while those weighing 500 grams or less are categorized as miscarriages.
Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) proposed a 'mourning period' for miscarriages, offering four weeks of leave at 16 weeks of pregnancy, eight weeks at 20 weeks, and 16 weeks at 23 weeks. The plan includes a two-week leave for partners of those affected.
The proposal, funded by the Family Burden Equalization Fund, extends to self-employed individuals and includes four months of dismissal protection. This follows Family Minister Claudia Bauer's spring proposal for staggered, optional maternity leave models.