Published on: 1/28/2022IST
Countries with the longest working hours
Long-hours cultures
A study has found that long working hours are killing people. In fact, 745,000 people died in 2016 from stroke and heart disease due to long hours, according to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), and it predicted that the problem could actually worsen due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on working habits. People working in south-east Asia and the Western Pacific region were the most affected. The study found that working 55 hours or more each week led to a 35% higher risk of a stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from heart disease, compared with 35- to 40-hour working weeks.
A study has found that long working hours are killing people. In fact, 745,000 people died in 2016 from stroke and heart disease due to long hours, according to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), and it predicted that the problem could actually worsen due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on working habits. People working in south-east Asia and the Western Pacific region were the most affected. The study found that working 55 hours or more each week led to a 35% higher risk of a stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from heart disease, compared with 35- to 40-hour working weeks.
30th: Spain – 36.4 hours per week
As Spain still bases its working day around a two-hour siesta, you could be forgiven for thinking they have it easy. But in fact, Spaniards don't typically end work until 8pm. Starting at 9am they stop at 2pm for several hours before they return to work and power through to 8pm. In 2016 there were calls to abandon this formula and reflect the rest of Europe. However, on average Spaniards worked for 36.4 hours per week in 2019, which is fairly close to the typical 40-hour working week in Europe.
29th: United Kingdom – 36.6 hours per week
In 2019, the UK's average working week lasted 36.6 hours, which is also lower than the typical 40-hour week. But COVID-19 has seen many businesses move to home working and this has seen many report working longer hours than they did in the office. According to the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS), people who worked from home to any degree in 2020 worked more hours (32.3 hours a week on average) than those who never worked from home (27.7 hours per week). That said, due to the furlough scheme, where millions were paid by the government but didn't work as they couldn't perform their work duties from home, the average hours worked by the nation in 2020 dropped considerably.
27th: Luxembourg – 37.6 hours per week
In Luxembourg legally the working day must not exceed 10 hours, and has a weekly limit of 40 hours. But there was no risk of this in 2019, when workers in Luxembourg had an average working week of 37.6 hours. Luxembourgers also benefit from long holidays, receiving a very generous 32 days per year as well as national holidays on top.
26th: New Zealand – 37.8 hours per week
New Zealand has a maximum 40-hour week over five days, and even before coronavirus hit the government was encouraging employers and employees to consider work-life balance and more flexible working hours. It's an initiative that is paying off as, in 2019 New Zealanders worked just 37.8 hours per week on average.
25th: Estonia – 38 hours per week
Estonia's week runs from 9am to 6pm, where employees work a 40-hour week. However, according to the latest OECD figures the average amount of time worked each week was actually 38 hours. Estonians also benefit from generous holiday, typically receiving 28 days per year.
Joint 23rd: Greece – 38.6 hours per week
In 2019, on average Greeks worked a long 38.6 hours per week. This is not surprising for a country that has battled recent economic issues, and is still recovering. But with an employment rate of around 83% in 2020, the country is showing signs that it is bouncing back. However, the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on industries such as tourism may see employment in Greece fall once again.
Joint 23rd: US – 38.6 hours per week
In America employers are obliged to pay overtime on any working week that exceeds 40 hours. The US, however, is one of only 13 countries that does not guarantee paid time off, and it is left to employers to provide leave. On average, those who have worked five years at a company receive 15 days of vacation a year. That said, in terms of actual hours worked per week, America comes under the 40-hour limit, at 38.6 hours per week on average in 2019. Currently the nation is dealing with a labour shortage, and businesses have found that they need to offer higher wages or hiring bonuses in order to attract applicants. The benefits on offer are starting to work, but it's seen Americans quit their jobs in record numbers in order to make the most of these lucrative job openings.
22nd: Iceland – 38.7 hours per week
Iceland's average working week was 38.7 hours in 2019. This falls below the 40-hour week limit across five days in the country. However, Iceland is one of several countries to have trialled a four-day working week, and in 2015-2016 several offices in Reykjavik spent a year trying out a shorter working week. The trial found that, while hours were reduced, productivity actually remained the same. Not only that, employees reported experiencing greater levels of work satisfaction, and took fewer sick days. However, Iceland hasn't imposed a shorter working week beyond this trial.
1/28/2022 | | Permalink