Top-10 Countries with the Shortest Working Hours 2024

Many countries focus on creating a good balance between work and personal life by offering shorter working hours. This helps people stay productive while having enough time for family, rest, and hobbies. In this article, we will look at the top 10 countries with the shortest working hours, where employees enjoy more leisure time without compromising on the quality of their work or the country’s economy.

Countries with the Shortest Working Hours in 2024

In 2024, several countries are known for having the shortest working hours. For example, Vanuatu leads with an average of just 24.7 hours per week, followed by Kiribati at 27.3 hours. Micronesia and Rwanda both have 30.4 hours, while Somalia works about 31.4 hours weekly. The Netherlands, Iraq, and other countries also have short workweeks. These shorter hours allow people to enjoy more leisure time, helping them maintain a better work-life balance.

Top-10 Countries with the Shortest Working Hours in 2024

Vanuatu, with the average working hours of 24.7 per week, stands as the country with the shortest working hours in 2024, followed by Kiribati, Micronesia and Rwanda.

Here is the list of top-10 countries with the shortest working hours in 2024:

Top-10 Countries with the Shortest Working Hours 2024
Rank	Country	Average hours per week
1.	Vanuatu	24.7
2.	Kiribati	27.3
3.	Micronesia	30.4
4.	Rwanda	30.4
5.	Somalia	31.4
6.	Netherlands	31.6
7.	Iraq	31.7
8.	Wallis and Futuna Islands	31.8
9.	Ethiopia	31.9
10.	Canada	32.1

Position of India in terms of Working Hours

India is ranked 13th in the world for having overworked employees, with workers putting in some of the longest hours. The International Labour Organisation reports that the average Indian worker works 46.7 hours a week. Furthermore, 51% of the workforce in India works 49 hours or more each week, placing the country second for the highest number of long working hours. A survey by MediBuddy and CII found that over 62% of Indian employees experience burnout, which is three times higher than the global average of 20%, mainly due to work stress and a poor work-life balance.