Which country has the least working hours?

While figures vary slightly by source and year, countries like Vanuatu, Kiribati, and Micronesia often appear with the lowest average weekly hours (around 24-30 hours), but for developed nations with strong social policies, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Germany consistently rank among the lowest for annual hours (around 1340-1600 hours), driven by shorter weeks and more paid leave, with Germany often leading for the lowest annual hours among major economies.

What country works the least hours?

Countries with the lowest working hours

• Austria (1,432 annual hours per worker)
• Sweden (1,431 annual hours per worker)
• Norway (1,407 annual hours per worker)
• Denmark (1,379 annual hours per worker)
• Germany (1,331 annual hours per worker)

Is a 10 hour shift legal in India?

Many employers overlook that making staff work 10–12 hours a day without fair pay or rest isn't just exploitative — it's illegal. Under the Factories Act, 1948, employees are entitled to a maximum of 9 hours a day, 48 hours a week, with proper breaks and double pay for overtime.

Which country has the most working hours?

Top 10 countries with the most extended working hours in 2024. Despite its relatively small population of approximately 700,000, Bhutan ranks as the country with the highest average working hours globally. Employees in Bhutan work an average of 54.4 hours per week.

Which country works 4 days a week?

Several countries are actively experimenting with or implementing a 4-day work week, including Belgium, which legally allows it (often compressed hours), the UK, Spain, and Germany through large-scale pilots, and the UAE, which shortened its government workweek. Other nations like Iceland, Portugal, Japan, and Australia have seen successful trials, showing benefits like increased productivity and better work-life balance, with many companies adopting the model, even without mandates.
 

Top 10 countries with least working hours

Does Japan work 4 days a week?

4 Day Work Week in Japan

Japan does not officially have a 4 day work week, but a 2021 government report encouraged companies to consider offering a shorter workweek. This recommendation is part of a broader initiative to tackle labor shortages, declining birthrate and improve the well-being of workers.

How many hours is full time in Sweden?

A normal full-time employment in Sweden is 40 working hours per week. Full time is the same as working 100 per cent. If you work part time you will receive a salary calculated on the basis of what percentage of a full-time position your working hours are equivalent to.

Which is the hardest working country?

Bhutan Leads the World in Working Hours

In 2025, Bhutan stands out as the world's hardest-working nation, with employees clocking an average of 54.5 hours per week. Many South and Southeast Asian economies also appear near the top, including the UAE (48.4 hours), Pakistan (47.5 hours), and India (45.8 hours).

How many hours does an average Indian work?

90-hour workweek row: An average Indian worker works 46.7 hours each week. See how it ranks among the world's biggest economies…

Does Japan work 9 to 5?

Most companies in Japan follow a standard 8-hour workday, excluding breaks. The typical work week is five days, adding up to 40 hours. This aligns with legal requirements, but how these hours are actually spent and perceived can vary significantly.

Can I work 75 hours a week?

Your employer cannot make you work longer than an average of 48 hours a week. If you do work longer, you should discuss reducing your hours with your manager or signing an opt-out agreement.

Is night shift legal in India?

Recognizing this, states across India have amended their labour laws to permit women to work during the notified night shift hours, provided employers ensure robust safety, welfare, and compliance measures.

What is the shortest legal shift?

For most industries, the minimum hours for shift work are 3-4 hours. This means that even if you roster an employee for a 2-hour shift, you have to pay them for at least 3 hours of work. You can find the specific number of minimum hours for shift work by searching your industry's applicable Award.

What is the 4 day work week?

The four-day work week refers to global experiments that reduce hours without reducing pay. The most common model, known as the 100:80:100 principle, promises 100% pay for 80% of the time while maintaining 100% output, according to 4 Day Week Global. After global pilots in 2022–2023 drew headlines, momentum slowed.

What is the 9 9 6 rule?

The 9-9-6 rule is a demanding work schedule (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 6 days a week, totaling 72 hours) originating in China's tech industry, symbolizing extreme dedication but criticized as "modern slavery" and causing burnout, leading to its illegality in China, though its concepts are debated globally for accelerating growth versus work-life balance. 

How many hours of work is healthy?

Don't Work More Than 50 Hours per Week

Most research suggests that 50 hours per week are the absolute maximum for productivity and health. Use reliable time tracking software to try and keep your work hours below the magic number.

Which country is no 1 for salary?

Switzerland tops the list of countries with the highest monthly salaries in 2025, offering an impressive average of USD 8,247. Luxembourg follows in second place with USD 6,764, driven by its strong financial sector and high standard of living.

Which country is most overworked?

Here are the top 10 most overworked countries in 2025:

• Canada (57.5) ...
• Malta (54.3) ...
• United States (52.5) ...
• Belgium (52.0) ...
• France (49.7) ...
• Portugal (46.8) ...
• Germany (45.2) ...
• Czechia (45.2) Czech employees average 2,019 working hours per year, placing them at the higher end of Europe's workload spectrum.

Which country hires most Indians?

Germany has emerged as the biggest destination for skilled Indian workers. The country, which faces a major shortage of professionals across sectors like healthcare, IT, engineering and construction, now plans to issue 90,000 skilled work visas to Indians each year — a big jump from the earlier 20,000.

How many hours does Denmark work?

The majority of sectors have 37 hours weekly. Usual working hours are Monday to Friday, from 8 or 9 AM to 4 or 5 PM. Lunch breaks are 30 minutes to 1 hour per day and usually are not included in the calculation of weekly working hours.

What is full-time in Germany?

A full-time job in Germany usually comprises between 35 and 40 hours each week. You may not work more than 48 hours each week ac- cording to the German Working Hours Act. This may be in- creased to 60 hours each week if the average working hours of 8 hours each workday are not exceeded within a period of six months.

How much does Sweden pay per hour?

Minimum Wage Without Professional Experience, SEK: Effective from April 1, 2023: 25,539 per month / 147.62 per hour. Effective from April 1, 2024: 26,382 per month / 152.50 per hour.