5 Countries With The Shortest Working Hours in the World

1. Denmark

Average Annual Work Hours: 1381

Denmark’s emphasis on work-life balance stems from a cultural and legislative framework designed to prioritize personal time and well-being. With only 1% of employees working over 50 hours per week, Danish workers enjoy significantly fewer hours compared to countries like Italy and the OECD average. This commitment to balanced living is reflected in the generous 36 days of statutory annual leave provided, one of the highest among wealthy countries. Additionally, Denmark’s Flexjobs scheme, introduced in 1998, allows workers to request alternative work hours, patterns, or less physically demanding tasks, further accommodating individual needs and preferences while maintaining productivity. It is the country with the shortest working hours in the world.

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