Comparing Workweeks Worldwide, from the Shortest to the Longest

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As countries increasingly enforce labor laws to promote employee well-being, the debate over optimal weekly work hours intensifies. Questions about average workweeks and the shortest work schedules worldwide become increasingly relevant.

According to the Economic History Association, it may be difficult to determine the average workweek by country due to different work philosophies. But you can read on to discover which countries have the shortest to longest workweeks on this page. 

Average Workweek Worldwide

Citing the World Population Review and the International Labor Organization, this article explores the topic of average workweek by country by dividing the data from the countries with the shortest to the longest workweeks. 

According to the data presented on these pages, high-income countries such as France and Germany have shorter workweeks compared to developing countries. 

The following are some important factors that may occur in the least developed countries: 

- Economic structure: Many developing countries depend on labor-intensive industries such as agriculture. 
- Social policies: the lack of government support to provide worker welfare. 
- Lower wages: workers work longer hours due to the lower cost of labor. 

OECD Countries with the Shortest Workweek 

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, also known as OECD, is an international organization of 38 countries that promotes policies to improve economic and social well-being. The OECD consists of mostly European countries with a high standard of living that will contribute to over 60% of the world's GDP in 2021. 

The data below shows OECD countries that have relatively short workweeks. 

1. Norway 

Norway is one of the OECD countries with the shortest workweek and is constantly looking for technical professionals and engineers to support the country's oil and gas industry. The country is also known to be home to the safest drivers in the world. 

2. Germany

Germany boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. The country's economy is one of the largest in Europe, despite having a relatively short work week compared to its European neighbors. 

3. Denmark 

Denmark is ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world, highlighting its short workweek. The country's 2021 government report showed that Denmark was looking for more workers in several fields, including education, IT, computer science, and healthcare. 

4. Iceland 

As one of the OECD countries with the shortest workweek, Ireland has a fairly small labor market. The country is constantly looking for more workers in certain fields such as healthcare, IT, construction, and tourism. 

5. Netherlands 

The Netherlands has a fairly low unemployment rate while constantly needing workers in many fields, such as civil engineers and ICT professionals. 

Countries with the Longest Working Week 

The International Labor Organization (ILO) has published statistics on working hours in several countries from many different regions. 

Here are the top 5 countries with the longest workweeks according to the ILO:

1. United Arab Emirates - 52.6 hours per week 
2. Gambia - 50.8 hours per week
3. Bhutan - 50.7 hours per week
4. Lesotho - 49.8 hours per week 
5. Congo - 48.6 hours per week 

World Population Review | ILO

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