Average working hours by country

The data are intended for comparisons of trends over time. Countries that work the least and most hours business. The oecd has been compiling the average weekly working hours for workers in 35 countries around the world since 2000. The highest employment rate is taken by iceland at 86%, and they have an average 39hour work week. Despite having a term to describe death by overwork karoshi, the average japanese worker does 1,7 hours per year below the oecd. Average annual hours worked is defined as the total number of hours actually worked per year divided by the average number of. This comes out higher than most european countries especially western europe but lower than many asian nations, and oecd data likewise suggests average working hours in the us are relatively high.

Most countries in the developed world have seen average hours worked decrease significantly. Caselli, f 2005 accounting for crosscountry income differences, in p aghion and s durlauf eds, handbook of economic growth. Greeks work the longest hours in europe, at an average 2,035 hours per year. South africa has the lowest employment rate, at 43%, and average hours worked are 43 hours. Bamboohr got the data for the report from the organisation for economic cooperation and development oecd. This statistic shows the average weekly working hours in the asia pacific region in 2017, broken down by country.

Thats 467 more hours than the average american every year and for less than a fifth of the pay. At the other end of the spectrum, german workers put in a comparatively meagre 1,363 hours per year. Theres the official possibility to work in flexible schedule. Differences in average working hours around the world. List of average annual labor hours in oecd countries wikipedia. Even though the south korean government has scrambled to reduce working hours in recent years, an. Average working hours of children, study and work, male, ages 714 hours per week from the world bank. Im going to answer assuming by work shift you mean a regular work day for someone in an office. Interesting observations about labor hours worked standard workweek.

Crosscountry evidence and implications, unpublished working paper. Hardestworking countries, ranked by hours worked per year. Productivity is calculated by dividing each country s gdp by the average number of hours worked annually by all employed citizens. Nov 07, 2017 in a developing country like india, where people have to work 4550 hours per week and work around 2500 hours per year, but there are many developed countries in the world where per week working. Average weekly working hours in apac 2017, by country. United states average weekly hours 20062020 data 2021. In the countries on our list, the average hours worked was 1,611 or less, or the equivalent of 30 hours per week. This working rate has made greece the only country with the longest working hours in europe. Average annual hours actually worked per worker oecd statistics. These are the most productive countries in the world time. Data learn how the world bank group is helping countries with covid19 coronavirus.

Average usual weekly hours worked on the main job customise. Average working hours of children, study and work, male. Britains long hours culture is continuing, with workers putting in the longest hours in the eu, a new study suggests. Joining the likes of finland and sweden, the uk ranks joint fifth when it comes to the fewest working hours, with an average working week totaling to 36 hours, alongside many other european countries. Workers in greece put in an average weekly shift of 42 hours and that places the country third on the list of. In some countries, there has even been an increase in the average annual hours per person employed. All countries compared for labor hours worked standard. Apr 17, 2019 britains long hours culture is continuing, with workers putting in the longest hours in the eu, a new study suggests. The following list is the average annual hours worked by participants in the labor force of the oecd member states.

What is the typical hours worked per week in different. The average citizen of the central american country works 2,255 hours a year, or a little. Although france is known for having a statutory 35hour working week, workers actually put in. The average of 1,7 hours worked per year in japan is not among the highest in the oecd list, but beyond the number, there is the grim reality that the country has no legislation at all. In 1900 the average household spent 58 hours a week on these chores. The following list is the average annual hours worked by participants in the labor force of the. Hours of labour have declined significantly since the middle of the 19th century, with workers in advanced industrial countries spending far fewer hours per year in a given place of work than they did formerly.

Some countries do, however, experience longer working hours than average. Data released last year showed average working hours in the us to be around 1,700 hours per year. Here are 10 industrialized nations where workers have shorter hours. Data by the organisation for economic cooperation and development oecd found that on average, turkish employees worked an average of 47. This page provides united kingdom average weekly hours actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. The most common would be an 8 hour workday leading to a 40 hour work week. According to the oecd, mexicans work the most hours out of any country every year, 2,246 on average. Contrary to what most people think, greeks actually work the longest hours in europe.

Employed people are those aged 15 or over who report that they have worked in gainful employment for at least one hour in the previous week or who had a job but were absent from work during the reference week. Menu icon a vertical stack of three evenly spaced horizontal lines. Even though the south korean government has scrambled to reduce working hours in recent years, an average worker in the country still puts in. South korea cuts inhumanely long 68hour working week. Apr 21, 2015 according to the organisation for economic cooperation and development oecd, mexicans have the most average annual working hours. On average, a fulltime employee in the european union works 36.

These countries have the most annual working hours infographic. This page provides united states average weekly hours actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. These countries have the most annual working hours. Thats 892 fewer hours spent at work per year than mexicans. According to the most recent data may 2019, americans worked an average of 34.

Sep 23, 2019 those in the country with the shortest fulltime week, the netherlands, work, on average, 34. Employees spend more time doing work in the workplace than at home they spend 7. Citizens of some countries, like france and hungary, have been working fewer hours for a long time. Hardest working countries, ranked by hours worked per year more the average worker in the u. What explains the changes over time and the differences between countries. United kingdom average weekly hours 19922019 data 2020. The countries working the most hours every year infographic. What work days looks like in different countries insider. Of the 10 countries with the fewest average hours worked, nine were among the top 15 nations with the most parttime workers relative to the total working population, and four were in.

Apr 02, 2019 this statistic shows the average weekly working hours in the asia pacific region in 2017, broken down by country. Most countries in the world have average working hours of between 40 to 44 hours per week. Oecd ilibrary trends in working hours in oecd countries. Contrary to what jeremy clarkson would have you believe, its mexico. Over the 20th century, work hours shortened by almost half, mostly due to rising wages brought about by renewed economic growth, with a supporting role from trade unions, collective bargaining, and progressive legislation. The average mexican will work up to 450 hours more than an. British workers put in longest hours in eu, study finds the. Fulltime employees in this country worked an average of 42 hours a week last.

Next up was colombia, and mexico followed on swift wings with employees averaging 45. This means, in general, theres an implicit trustagreement. This is only a preliminary collection of relevant material the data and research currently presented here is a preliminary collection or relevant material. What is the average hours per week worked in the us. Mexico was the only country ahead of korea with 2,228 hours. Similarly, netherlands has one of the lowest hours worked per labor participant. Nov 29, 2019 this statistic shows the average weekly working hours in china from 2006 to 2016. Greece is ranked third as the country with the most working hours in the world with 2,042 as the average annual working hours. So, i guess we should first start from average hours worked per week. For example, in quebec the average working hours were 35.

The average working hours for workers in greece is 42 hours per week. Overall, average working hours have fallen in every country for which the oecd has data. About 22% of japanese employees work 50 hours or more each week on average, well above 11% in the u. Not surprising the lowest average weekly hours comes from a european country. Oecd ilibrary average annual hours actually worked. When countries outside of the eu are considered, turkey, which straddles southeast europe and western asia, has the longest working week, clocking up a staggering 49. The average worker devoted 1,770 hours to work in 2014, according to the organization for economic cooperation and development oecd. Americans work an average of 38 hours a week, even after factoring in parttime jobs. May 24, 2018 the average working hours for workers in greece is 42 hours per week. We will further develop our work on this topic in the future to cover it in the same detail as for example our entry on world population growth.

Average daily hours of work in winter, by industry. Fulltime employees in this country worked an average of 42 hours a. In terms of the nations with the highest working hours, qatar takes the top spot. Now if only i could find a way to enjoy my home for more than sleeping and 2 additional hours of my day. Greece is ranked third as the country with the most working hours in the world with 2,042 as the average annual working hours as of 2015. Data are expressed in number of hours worked per year per person in employment.

Actual hours worked include regular work hours of fulltime, parttime and partyear workers, paid and unpaid overtime, hours worked in additional jobs. Working hours is time spent in productive activities, whether paid or unpaid. Shifts can identify the type of shift work done by nurses for example who do night or day shifts on which im no expert. Average weekly hours in the united kingdom averaged 32. Despite a centurylong optimism about reduced working hours and some progress in legal measures limiting working hours, this book demonstrates. South korea was the most overworked country in the oecd bloc until mexico knocked it off the top spot in 2008. Average daily hours of work in summer, by industry. Feb 28, 2018 south korea cuts inhumanely long 68hour working week. Those in the country with the shortest fulltime week, the netherlands, work, on average, 34. Jan 04, 2017 these are the most productive countries in the world. The bureau of labor statistics tracks how many hours per week the average american works and releases that information as part of the monthly employment situation summary. The oecd employment and labour market statistics database includes a range of annual labour market statistics and indicators from 1960 broken down by sex and age as well as information about parttime and shorttime workers, job tenure, hours worked, unemployment duration, trade union, employment protection legislation, minimum wages, labour market programmes for oecd countries and non. The countries where people work the longest hours world.

Working an average of 60 hours a week leaves me with little time for much of anything beyond work. On average, a fulltime employee in the eu works 40. With a total of 29 hours, the netherlands has the shortest average work week. Jul 29, 2012 the average american worked 1,797 hours in 2011, or about 34. Countrys economic power does not need to reflect shortening working hours necessarily, as it is becoming a global trend now. Differences in average working hours around the world top. Aug 01, 2017 every country strives to regulate the working hours of its citizens by putting in place laws that stipulate the maximum working hours and the minimum resting period. Sep 28, 2019 nations that work the most hours on average.

List of average annual labor hours in oecd countries. The law requires a half hour break every 4 to 6 hours. Workers in the uk are in the middle of the pack, working 36. Jan 08, 2018 thats 467 more hours than the average american every year and for less than a fifth of the pay. As of 2014, mexico, costa rica and south korea ranked first with the highest number of hours worked per year. The working age population refers to people aged 15 to 64. Employees in the gulf state are expected to work an average of 49 hours per week, 17 hours more than the likes of the netherlands, in other words, an extra 3. Trends in working hours in oecd countries in recent years, the decline in average annual hours of work per person in employment, which can be traced back for over a century, has slowed. The common schedules are between 7am to 4pm, or 8am to 5pm. Sep 02, 2016 hardest working countries, ranked by hours worked per year more the average worker in the u. Denmark is next with 32 hours, followed by the us, germany, and switzerland taking the number three spot with 34 hours of average work week. A new working paper, spotted by quartz, looks at the average annual work hours per person in 18. Two countries japan and korea provide actual hours worked rather than usual hours, but it is unclear how this affects international comparison.

Those in the mining and quarrying industry work the longest hours 42. Average weekly hours in the united states averaged 34. Thats 467 more hours than the average american every year. British workers put in longest hours in eu, study finds. Countries have set in place standard working hours that limit the working hours of employees be it per day, week, month or year. Countries that work the least and most hours business insider. Fulltime workers in these countries work 20 or even 30 hours less every week than in the 19th century. On average, a fulltime employee in an oecd country works 1,734 hours per year, or 36. Finland, however, has three different breaks allotted in an average workday schedule from 10 to 10. Compared to countries that report only hours worked in the main job, data for these countries are more likely to contain individuals with working hours in the longer hours bands. Koreans average work hours still secondlongest in oecd. This country works the longest hours in europe world.

In the uk, for example, a typical employee spent 1,700 hours a year working in the year 2000 that has. At just six hours and 45 minutes, both countries clock the least number of hours per average work day. Turkey works longer hours than any other oecd country. Men have a longer working week than women, working on average 41. Generally speaking, standard working hours of countries worldwide are around 40 to 44 hours per week but not everywhere. Oecd inventory of survey questions on the quality of the working environment. Here are the countries where people work hardest in the. Average annual hours worked is defined as the total number of hours actually worked per year divided by the average number of people in employment per year. Workers in costa rica and south korea work the second and third longest hours. Bick, a and n fuchsschuendeln and d lagakos 2016 how do average hours worked vary with development. People in turkey are among the hardest workers in the world. Hours of labour, the proportion of a persons time spent at work. Workers in the us are in the middle with 1,783 hours.