Exploring global work-life balance: who leads the way?

The concept of work-life balance has become increasingly crucial in the modern world, as individuals strive to manage the demands of their careers alongside personal life necessities

The balance between work and personal life has become increasingly relevant in today’s world, as more and more people strive to reconcile the demands of their careers with their personal lives.

Global work-life balance index

In this context, a recent study conducted by Remoto analyzed the Global Work-Life Balance Index to identify the countries that offer the best balance between work and personal life. The analysis covered the 60 countries with the highest GDP in the world, examining key indicators such as legally mandated annual leave, minimum statutory sick pay, legally established maternity leave, maternity leave pay rate, minimum wage, health status, and happiness index, among others.

Europe leads the way

The results highlighted that Europe is the leader when it comes to work-life balance, occupying seven of the top ten spots in the rankings. New Zealand topped the list, followed by Spain and France. The list also includes Australia, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Brazil.

Unique country characteristics

Each country has unique features that contribute to its high work-life balance score. For example, New Zealand stands out for its generous legally mandated annual leave and a government-funded universal healthcare system.

Spain offers shorter working weeks compared to the global average and generous legally mandated annual leave. France, in addition to annual leave, introduced the right to disconnect in 2017, promoting a healthy balance between work and personal life.

Emerging trends

Furthermore, the analysis highlighted five other significant trends to watch. For example, the United States ranked 53rd due to the lack of legally mandated annual leave and a universal healthcare system. At the same time, countries like Australia and New Zealand are distinguished by their higher minimum wages compared to the global average.

Here is the complete ranking of countries offering the best work-life balance, according to the Global Work-Life Balance Index analyzed by Remoto:

1. New Zealand
2. Spain
3. France
4. Australia
5. Denmark
6. Norway
7. Netherlands
8. United Kingdom
9. Canada
10. Brazil
11. Sweden
12. Germany
13. Peru
14. Belgium
15. Finland
16. Taiwan
17. Austria
18. South Africa
19. Singapore
20. Greece
21. Ireland
22. Italy
23. Czech Republic
24. Portugal
25. Colombia
26. Poland
27. Saudi Arabia
28. Hungary
29. Romania
30. Argentina
31. Algeria
32. South Korea
33. Thailand
34. Switzerland
35. Vietnam
36. Philippines
37. Egypt
38. Japan
39. Hong Kong
40. Pakistan
41. Morocco
42. Chile
43. India
44. Israel
45. Turkey
46. Bangladesh
47. China
48. Mexico
49. United Arab Emirates
50. Kuwait
51. Indonesia
52. Kazakhstan
53. United States
54. Iran
55. Iraq
56. Qatar
57. Angola
58. Puerto Rico
59. Malaysia
60. Nigeria

This comprehensive ranking highlights the diversity in work-life balance across different countries, showcasing the various approaches and policies each nation adopts to support the well-being of its workforce.

Source: Global Life-Work Balance Index