7 Countries With Best Work Culture, Work-Life Balance

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Singapore is set to release a Jobseekers Support scheme in 2025, handing out up to S$6,000 to those who have been impacted in recent layoffs. Only Singapore citizens and permanent residents above 21 years old are eligible to receive the payouts.

The Jobseekers Support scheme is applicable to several categories including people actively looking for jobs, has not receive a payout in recent 3 years, previously earned S$5,000 or less, annual value of residential property is S$25,000 or less, unemployed due to involuntary reasons, employed for at least 6 months in the past 12 months before applying and unemployed for at least a month before receiving a payout.

The news envies many job seekers from other countries and has shifted the interest to which countries are equipped with the best work culture.

This article will reveal the top 7 countries known for their exceptional work culture and work-life balance according to Remote’s Global Life-Work Balance Index.

1. New Zealand

New Zealand tops the list of countries with the best work culture, winning an index score as high as 80,76. The country has a legal annual leave up to 32 days per year, comprising 80% sick day minimum.

In addition to the healthy work environment, New Zealand provides 26 days of paid maternity leaves ranging from $177 per week. Renowned to have a very strong economy, New Zealand consistently ranks high on quality of life measures.

2. Ireland

Ireland follows suit on the list with an index score of 77,89 which is mostly contributed by the amount of mandated annual leave that touches the base of 30 days per year. The country offers paid maternity leave up to 26 days rating approximately $27.3 per week.

As cited from various sources, Ireland is among the world’s top ten wealthiest countries in the world based on its GDP per capita. Notably ranking for its human development, economic freedom as well as civil liberties.

3. Belgium

Belgium is the next European country with the best work culture, scoring an overall index around 73,45. Just like the previous contenders, Belgium offers a mandated annual leave up to 30 days that can be used 100% of sick days.

Belgium recently ranks 17th on the GDP index, hosting one of Europe’s brightest labor markets. The country’s diversified economy plays a pivotal role in attracting investors.

4. Denmark

Denmark is fourth on the list of countries with the best work culture, earning a score as high as 73,45. The country provides a total of 35 annual leave consisting of 100% sick days for the employees.

Denmark is regarded as  one of the highest per capita incomes countries in the world complemented with the lowest perceived level of corruption, making it an attractive country to work at.

5. Canada

Canada is the only country from the American region on the list with an index score at 72,75. Though it has a fairly low annual leave which can only be legal for 17 days, compared to other contenders on the list.

Even so, Canada is home to thriving businesses with a GDP of nearly $2 trillion in 2020. In addition, employers in the country work 32 hours on average per week, making the happiness rate touch the base of 6,9 points.

6. Germany

Germany has a mandated annual leave up to 30 days comprising 70% of sick days in total. The country made it to the list due to its robust economy which is considered as the fourth largest by nominal GDP.

7. Finland

Finland closes the list with a score as high as 71,55, complemented by a legal annual leave up to 36 days. The country has the greatest amount of annual leave compared to the rest of the countries on the list.

The countries with the best work culture are dominated by the European region where each serves up to 30 days annual leave.

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