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Ranking: Cities with the best work-life balance

Ranking: Cities with the best work-life balance

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Singapore, and Bangkok, and Hong Kong are ranked 41st, 43rd, and 45th respectively in the ranking for work-life balance. 

Asian countries are falling behind in the global work-life balance rankings. Out of 50 countries, other than Tokyo (19th), Asian countries are featured in the lower half of the ranking. Singapore, and Bangkok, and Hong Kong are ranked 41st, 43rd, and 45th respectively. Even worse, the top five overworked cities were all in Asia.  

Published in Nov 2020, Kisi's index examines cities' work-life balance based on four areas:

  • Work intensity: Hours worked and commute/week, overworked population, minimum vacations offered, vacations taken, latest unemployment, multiple jobholders, paid parental leave
  • Society and institutions: Social spending, healthcare, access to mental healthcare, inclusivity and tolerance
  • City livability: Affordability, happiness, culture and leisure, city safety and stress, outdoor spaces, air quality, wellness and fitness
  • Covid 19: Covid impact and projected unemployment

50 cities known for attracting overseas professionals and families for work opportunities were selected for the study. 

Top cities for best work-life balance

1. Oslo, Norway (2019: #3)
2. Helsinki, Finland (2019: #1) 
3. Copenhagen, Denmark (2019: #3)
4. Hamburg, Germany (2019: #4)
5. Berlin, Germany (2019: #6)
6. Munich, Germany (2019: #2)
7. Vienna, Austria (2019: #7)
8. Zurich, Switzerland (2019: #7)
9. Stockholm, Sweden (2019: #5)
10. Calgary, Canada (2019: #10)
...
19. Tokyo, Japan  (2019: #39)
41. Singapore (2019: #32)
43. Bangkok, Thailand (2019: #43)
45. Hong Kong (2019: #35)
47. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2019: #40)
50. Seoul, South Korea (2019: #50)

Top five overworked cities

1. Hong Kong
2. Singapore
3. Seoul
4. Kuala Lumpur 
5. Tokyo

Photo/ Vulcan7

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