In this article, we will look at the 30 Countries With The Happiest Workers in The World. We have also discussed two companies with the happiest workers in another article. If you are interested in reading about that along with a more extensive list, head straight to the 30 Countries With The Happiest Workers in The World.
10. United Kingdom
Work-Life Balance: 8
Happiness: 9
Average Rank: 8.5
A recent survey conducted by Accenture has revealed that almost 50% of UK workers are integrating generative AI into their work routines to improve their work life balance. Even though this technology has only been widely accessible for less than a year, it is already yielding positive results, with employees leveraging it to offload repetitive and time-consuming tasks to chatbots, ultimately boosting productivity. The survey was taken by 2,002 UK employees in both office-based and remote roles, 30% of which showed their desire to use the time saved by AI to enhance their work-life balance.
9. Finland
Work-Life Balance: 15
Happiness: 1
Average Rank: 8
In Finland, an eight-hour workday is standard, accompanied by a typical four-week annual paid summer holiday, often in July. Many fields offer a minimum of 30 days of statutory paid annual leave. Finland is one of the countries with the best work benefits.
8. France
Work-Life Balance: 3
Happiness: 12
Average Rank: 7.5
France, particularly Paris, has a strong work-life balance, ranking third globally with a score of 75.34 out of 100. The country has universal public insurance, a high happiness score, and an average workweek of 25.6 hours, with LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
7. Sweden
Work-Life Balance: 11
Happiness: 4
Average Rank: 7.5
Sweden has an exceptional work-life balance, prioritizing family support. Affordable nursery schools offer care for children as young as one, enabling parents to resume work post-parental leave. Tax-financed compulsory education from ages six to 19 often includes provided lunches. The Swedish Social Insurance Agency compensates parents with children under 12 for time off to care for sick children. This family-friendly environment has led Stockholm to be recognized as one of the world’s premier cities for employment.
6. Netherlands
Work-Life Balance: 7
Happiness: 7
Average Rank: 7
In the OECD, the Netherlands is known for its exceptional work-life balance, with only 0.3% of employees dedicating very long hours to paid work. Dutch full-time workers typically reserve 64% of their day, approximately 15.4 hours, for personal care and leisure activities.
5. Canada
Work-Life Balance: 9
Happiness: 3
Average Rank: 6
In 2022, approximately 65% of Canadians reported achieving a better work-life balance, according to a poll conducted by Ipsos. The survey revealed that two-thirds of working Canadians felt they had successfully struck a more desirable work-life balance. The data also indicated that 70% of those working remotely did not want to return to the office regularly in 2023.
4. Denmark
Work-Life Balance: 5
Happiness: 6
Average Rank: 5.5
Denmark, particularly Copenhagen, was ranked as the world’s best city for work-life balance and competitive salary in a report by MoneyNerd. Copenhagen has an average salary of $44,474 and a work-life balance rating of 8.6 out of 10, making it the top choice for those seeking a balance work-life environment.
3. Australia
Work-Life Balance: 4
Happiness: 5
Average Rank: 4.5
Australia has a high quality of life with a population of approximately 26 million people. Life expectancy is 81 years for men and 85 years for women.
2. Norway
Work-Life Balance: 6
Happiness: 3
Average Rank: 4.5
Norway has a great work-life balance with only 1% of employees working very long hours in paid work. The full-time workers dedicate 65% of their day, around 15.7 hours, to personal care and leisure. Norway is also one of the countries with the best education.
1. New Zealand
Work-Life Balance: 1
Happiness: 4
Average Rank: 2.5
New Zealand achieved the highest score of 79.35 for work-life balance, with generous annual leave of 32 days, a government-funded universal healthcare system, and a strong economy. New Zealand is the country with the happiest workers in the world.
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