The work-life balance is an ongoing debate ever since L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s remarks. The work-life balance is in limelight with the 90 hour and 70- hour workweek schedules suggested by top conglomerates in India. This is something that is key to everything, be it the lifestyle or the psychological well-being of an individual and his family. The work life balance reveals a lot about a country and its attitude towards work and people.

It critically emphasizes on statutory annual leave, paid maternity leave, the number of hours’ people work and other flexibility options. However, the work-life harmony is only supported by some countries of the world. The others do not provide much flexibility. And it is that 6 out of the top 10 countries are from Europe. Notably, India ranked 43 in the list and the USA at 53.

Here are the top countries of the world that are ranked highest, according to the 2024 Global Life-Work Balance Index released by HR tech company Remote:

New Zealand

New Zealand is at the top, offering a wide range of options that support work-life balance for its people. The country ensures a 26 week paid maternity leave, that too with a relatively high minimum wage compared to other countries, 32 days of permitted annual leave with a minimum of 80% permitted sick pay percentage.

The main priorities of the people in New Zealand are their family, well-being, recreation and travel. Work isn’t life for them, they take time to invest with families, friends and other recreational activities too. The country had a rating of 79.35 out of 100.

Spain

A picture of relaxation and leisure might have crossed your mind reading the name. Spain is known for benefits like the 26 days of statutory annual leave. Workers here spend most of their time in leisure and personal care. Only a 2.5% of people work for very long hours in paid employment. Earlier, a one to two- hour siesta was also provided, which means a mid-day break. However, it is on a decline since some years. Some companies still celebrate a common Friday tradition called jornada intensive, which is a full working day with no lunch break as they offer it long for the rest of the days. But the employees leave by 3:00 in the noon. The Spanish work only an average 37.8 hours a week as per Remote in 2023 index. In 2024, Spain was rated with 75.55/100.

France

France always makes it to the list of Top 5, when it comes to the work-life harmony. In particular, it has the highest number of days for statutory annual leave, 36 in count. People have at least 16.2 hours every day for personal and leisurely time as in 2023. Even in an occupied city like Paris, the locals prioritize their non-work time as in it is the culture to have a sense of ease, rest and relaxation. The cafe culture is very much appreciated by people here, they get around enjoying coffees sitting and relaxing.

However, many things also depend upon the work and industry too, where 8% people work more than 50 hours per week. In France, there is an emphasis on balance, where they give importance to art and culture through expos, events, exhibitions. Ought to be a kind of life outside of work. In 2024, France scored a rating of 75.34/100.

Denmark

There is no hidden fact about Denmark’s work-life balance. And the benefits visibly tell the difference between work and life. The day here starts usually at 8:00 am and ends by 4:00 pm. And the time between 4:00-7:00 pm is for leisure and family alone. Only 1% Danish work more than 50 hours a week which is the lowest as per other countries, even in Italy there are 3% people. People here spend at least 15.7 hours a day in personal and leisure time.

Flexible work has always been supported in Denmark, ever since 1998 with the Flexjobs scheme where workers have the right to request different working hours, patterns or even for less physically demanding tasks. Denmark offers 36 days of statutory annual leave and the workers are to be paid 100% wages of the sick leave.    

Italy

Remember, how the Italian phrase quickly came to trend, where they say “Dolce far niente” which means the sweetness of doing nothing. We can say that Italy actually functions like that. People are productive, working but taking time off for all that they want to do…more than work.

The full-time employees here as much as 69% of their day, i.e. 16.5 hours on personal care and leisure activities. Only a 3% of the employees in the country work for long hours, maybe more than 50 hours a week. However, the negative with this is that Italy has higher unemployment rate and a lower average salary.

The other countries which have an efficient work-life balance include:

Ireland

Belgium

Canada

Germany

Finland

Australia

Thus, if we look at the global work-life balance landscape, the leading countries do not have any more than 40- hour workweek. They ensure the balance between well- being and productivity at large, primarily focusing on the fact that we work to live, not live to work. A 70-hour or 90-hour workweek is something that hinders this harmonious balance between work and life.

Therefore, other countries shall also aim for getting better at this. The human resources need a steady balance that adds to their productivity and functioning.