While the Netherlands consistently appears with one of the shortest average work weeks (around 29-31 hours), Vanuatu often tops lists with even fewer hours (around 24-29), followed by countries like Kiribati, Rwanda, and European nations like Denmark, Norway, and Austria, showcasing strong work-life balance through part-time work and shorter standard hours.
Which countries have the longest and the shortest work weeks?
ThredUP, an online thrift store and clothing consignment company, adopted a four-day workweek in 2021 to promote employee well-being and gender equity in the workplace. In an employee survey conducted one year after implementation, 93% of respondents agreed that the four-day workweek improved their productivity.
The 996 working hour system (Chinese: 996工作制) is a work schedule that derives its name from its requirement that workers clock in from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, 6 days per week, resulting in employees working 12 hours per day and 72 hours per week. It is practiced illegally by some companies in China.
Countries such as Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Iceland, Lithuania, and France have already implemented or are moving towards a four-day work week.
4 Day Work Week in Japan
Japan does not officially have a 4 day work week, but a 2021 government report encouraged companies to consider offering a shorter workweek. This recommendation is part of a broader initiative to tackle labor shortages, declining birthrate and improve the well-being of workers.
While Americans cling to their hybrid schedules to have some flexibility with their jobs, workers in the Netherlands have quietly abandoned the five-day workweek, working an average of 32.1 hours in 2024. And the country's staffers have women to thank for the change.
Some countries have adopted a six-day workweek and one-day weekend (6×1), which can be Friday only (in Djibouti, Iran, Somaliland and Libya), Saturday only (in Nepal), or Sunday only (in Mexico, Colombia, Uganda, Eritrea, India, Philippines, and Equatorial Guinea).
Maximum weekly hours
An employee can work a maximum of 38 hours in a week unless an employer asks them to work reasonable extra hours. See our Maximum weekly hours fact sheet.
Understanding Standard Work Hours in Japan. Most companies in Japan follow a standard 8-hour workday, excluding breaks. The typical work week is five days, adding up to 40 hours. This aligns with legal requirements, but how these hours are actually spent and perceived can vary significantly.
The Central African Republic is among the lowest minimum wage in the world, at 218.75 CFA Francs per hour, which is equivalent to . 36 USD per hour. In Kyrgyzstan, the minimum wage was updated in 2024 and is among the lowest is the world, at 2,460 Kyrgyzstani SOM.
Many employers overlook that making staff work 10–12 hours a day without fair pay or rest isn't just exploitative — it's illegal. Under the Factories Act, 1948, employees are entitled to a maximum of 9 hours a day, 48 hours a week, with proper breaks and double pay for overtime.
Finland takes the top spot in our rankings, achieving an impressive work quality score of 73 out of 100. Finnish full-time workers enjoy a well-balanced daily routine, with an average working day lasting seven hours and 44 minutes, offering a relatively short work schedule compared to other countries.
The Expat Ruling is a Dutch tax exemption for employees who were hired from abroad. Under the 'Tax Ruling', certain categories of international staff can receive maximum 30% (per 1-1-2027 27%) of their gross salary tax-free. This is to compensate the extra costs incurred to live in the Netherlands.
Standard working hours in the Netherlands are from 9 AM to 5 or 6 PM, Monday through Friday. By law, employers cannot require employees to work more than 12 hours on a given day, with a 60 hour weekly maximum. Employees in the Netherlands cannot be required to work on Sundays.
The 5-Minute Rule
To understand the importance of punctuality in Japan, acquaint yourself with the '5-minute rule'. This means that if a meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM, you're expected to be there at 9:55 AM at the latest. Arriving exactly on time is cutting it close and is usually viewed the same as being late.
So, Is $5,000 Enough for a Week in Japan? Yes. If $5K (per person) is your travel budget, in most seasons you should be able to make this work for a Japan trip. This of course assumes that you're not booking five-star hotels and $400 sushi dinners every night.
As of October 2025, Japan's minimum wage is set at an average of ¥1,118 per hour across all prefectures. However, this rate varies by region, with Tokyo having the highest minimum wage at ¥1,226 per hour, and other prefectures such as Osaka, Kanagawa, and Aichi following closely behind.
Myanmar. Myanmar follows closely with 32 public holidays. The country celebrates a mix of Buddhist, cultural, and national holidays. Significant holidays include Thingyan (the Burmese New Year), Thadingyut (the Festival of Lights), and Independence Day.
Iran, Yemen, Georgia, and Sweden have the most work-free days, with Iran offering the most globally, at 27 paid public holidays each year.