Which country works the most?
Do weekends feel too short? Workload levels vary significantly around the world. Based on data from OECD, the average number of actual hours worked per year has been calculated. The figures exclude public holidays, paid leave, sick days, and other non-working time.
Below, countries are ranked in descending order — from the highest number of working hours to the lowest.
5. Chile — 1,919 hours (36.9 hours per week)
Chile records the highest figure in this list. Employees in the country work nearly 2,000 hours per year on average.
6. Greece — 1,898 hours (36.5 hours)
Greece maintains a high annual workload, placing it among the countries with the longest working hours.
7. Israel — 1,877 hours (36.1 hours)
Israel also shows a significantly high yearly total of working hours.
8. South Korea — 1,865 hours (35.9 hours)
Known for its strong work culture, South Korea’s statistics reflect long annual working hours.
11. Malta — 1,819 hours (35 hours)
In Malta, the annual workload exceeds 1,800 hours on average.
17. Italy — 1,709 hours (32.9 hours)
Italy reports a yearly average that stands above many other developed nations.
18. Canada — 1,697 hours (32.6 hours)
Canada’s annual working time approaches 1,700 hours per employee.
21. Latvia — 1,637 hours (31.5 hours)
Latvia ranks within the higher mid-range group in terms of yearly working time.
22. Spain — 1,634 hours (31.4 hours)
Spain records more than 1,600 working hours annually on average.
23. Australia — 1,627 hours (31.3 hours)
Australia demonstrates a relatively high level of annual working time.
24. Bulgaria — 1,625 hours (31.3 hours)
In Bulgaria, yearly working hours also exceed 1,600 hours.
25. Slovakia — 1,624 hours (31.2 hours)
Slovakia’s figure is nearly identical to Bulgaria’s annual total.
26. Ireland — 1,622 hours (31.2 hours)
In Ireland, the average weekly workload surpasses 31 hours.
27. Japan — 1,617 hours (31.1 hours)
Despite its reputation for long work culture, Japan’s OECD data places it below several other countries.
28. Estonia — 1,611 hours (31 hours)
Estonia’s annual working time stands slightly above 1,600 hours.
29. Slovenia — 1,602 hours (30.8 hours)
Slovenia remains among the nations with comparatively high work totals.
30. Belgium — 1,593 hours (30.6 hours)
Belgium’s annual average is close to the 1,600-hour mark.
31. Switzerland — 1,532 hours (29.5 hours)
Switzerland reports fewer working hours compared to many European peers.
32. United Kingdom — 1,512 hours (29.1 hours)
The United Kingdom averages just over 29 working hours per week.
33. Finland — 1,509 hours (29 hours)
Finland shows a comparatively lower annual working-hour figure.
34. France — 1,491 hours (28.7 hours)
In France, the yearly average remains below 1,500 hours.
35. Luxembourg — 1,468 hours (28.2 hours)
Luxembourg falls into the group of countries with lighter workloads.
36. Netherlands — 1,445 hours (27.8 hours)
The Netherlands averages fewer than 28 working hours per week.
37. Iceland — 1,434 hours (27.6 hours)
Iceland records a relatively modest annual working-hour figure.
38. Austria — 1,432 hours (27.5 hours)
Austria’s annual total is nearly the same as Iceland’s.
39. Sweden — 1,431 hours (27.5 hours)
Sweden’s yearly average also remains under 1,450 hours.
40. Norway — 1,407 hours (27.1 hours)
Norway is considered one of Europe’s countries with the fewest annual working hours.
41. Denmark — 1,379 hours (26.5 hours)
Denmark’s yearly average stays below 1,400 hours.
42. Germany — 1,331 hours (25.6 hours)
Germany records the lowest figure in this list, with significantly fewer working hours compared to other nations.