The number of private sector workers who took paternity leave jumped nearly 31 percent on-year to slightly over 10-thousand in the first half of 2019.br Changing social atmosphere and policies that encourage a better work-life balance are seen as contributing factors, but financial support from the government is considered the most important reason behind the rise.br According to the labor ministry, there's been a gradual increase in the number of workers on paternity leave each year since 2009 when just 5-hundred and 2 men took paid leave.br Paternity leave was introduced in 2001, but just 2 workers took the leave that year.