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New Zealand, Spain, and France top the list globally; while Taiwan and Singapore have the best life-work balance in Asia.
New Zealand, Spain, and France are recognised as the world’s top three in offering the best foundation for life-work balance, according to Remote’s Global Life-Work Balance Index.
In Asia, Taiwan (16th) and Singapore (19th) made it to the top 20 globally, while South Korea (32nd), Thailand (33rd), Vietnam (35th), Philippines (36th), Japan (38th) and Hong Kong (39th) are also among top 40.
Asia rankings:
- Taiwan (16th globally)
- Singapore (19th globally)
- South Korea (32nd globally)
- Thailand (33rd globally)
- Vietnam (35th globally)
- Philippines (36th globally)
- Japan (38th globally)
- Hong Kong (39th globally)
- India (43rd globally)
- China (47th globally)
- Indonesia (51st globally)
- Malaysia (59th globally)
The rankings are determined by assessing the following factors, which are considered "a tangible representation of wellbeing in the workplace":
- Statutory annual leave
- Minimum statutory sick pay percentage
- Paid maternity leave and payment rate
- Minimum wage
- Healthcare system
- Happiness index
- Average hours worked per week
- LGBTQ+ inclusivity
Based on these factors, Remote revealed the global top 10 with the best life-work balance as follows:
1. New Zealand
Overall index score: 79.35 (out of 100)
New Zealand ranked top by scoring highly across a number of metrics, offering a generous statutory annual leave allowance (32 days), a high rate of sick pay (80%), and a government-funded universal healthcare system. The country also offers the second-highest minimum wage among the list, following Australia.
2. Spain
Overall index score: 75.55
Scoring consistently well across the board, the country is particularly generous when it comes to statutory annual leave (36 days). It also has one of the shortest working weeks on average.
3. France
Overall index score: 75.34
Businesses in France have a healthy attitude to life-work balance, with workers enjoying ample free time (the average working week is just 25.6 hours), a generous minimum wage, and 36 days’ statutory annual leave per year.
In 2017, France even introduced the right to disconnect, a law giving its workers the legal right to avoid viewing or responding to emails outside of work hours with a view to reduce workplace-related stress.
4. Australia
Overall index score: 73.71
Australia offers the highest minimum annual wage per hour of any nation and sickness paid at 100% of salary. The country also supports its workers with a robust public healthcare system.
5. Denmark
Overall index score: 73.67
Often considered one of the happiest nations, Denmark offers its workers a generous 36 days’ annual leave, 100% sick pay, and universal healthcare support. Along with Norway, it’s also considered to be Europe's most LGBTQ+-friendly country.
Work-life balance is a foundation of Danish culture, with workers enjoying more free time than most of their European counterparts. The country’s high taxation rate also contributes to a strong welfare society, as its citizens are provided access to free education and healthcare.
6. Norway
Overall index score: 73.05
Denmark’s more northerly European neighbour, Norway is broadly on the same page when it comes to putting life ahead of work, with Norwegian nationals considered to be among the happiest people in Europe. Its workers receive 35 days of statutory annual leave and 100% sick pay.
Long working weeks are rare in Norway, with its life-first culture a cornerstone of its employment laws. The country also boasts a renowned government-funded healthcare system — health expenditure per head is higher in Norway than most other countries.
7. The Netherlands
Overall index score: 69.14
The Netherlands is the second-happiest country in the top 10, and the one most supportive of LGBTQ+ rights. Though the Dutch aren’t afforded a government-backed healthcare package and the annual leave rate is about average, there’s a generous rate of maternity pay for parents.
Dutch workers generally enjoy a healthy balance between life and work as the average working week is just under 27 hours.
8. The United Kingdom
Overall index score: 69.07
The United Kingdom has a healthy attitude to life-work balance, with an internationally-renowned healthcare system, a generous minimum wage, and one of the highest global rates of statutory maternity leave.
Workers in the UK clock up just 25.6 hours at work per week on average (full- and part-time workers combined), giving them the joint-shortest working week among the list.
9. Canada
Overall index score: 67.91
The Canadian government offers a universal healthcare package, while Canada is also seen as the most LGBTQ+-friendly country in which to live and work, scoring highly in relation to LGBTQ+ rights, laws, and freedoms, as well as public attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community.
The sprawling Canadian city of Toronto is also a haven for remote workers due to its high quality of life, safety, and the multitude of leisure opportunities.
10. Brazil
Overall index score: 67.73
Brazil is the only South American country to feature in the top 10. Its high standing owes largely to its generous rate of sick and maternity pay, as well as its government-funded universal healthcare system.
Other findings:
- Often considered one of the least worker-friendly nations in the world, the United States is ranked a lowly 53rd in the index, owing mainly to a lack of statutory annual leave and sick pay and the absence of a universal healthcare system.
- Employees in Mexico, Malaysia, and Nigeria are the most overworked, each clocking up over 40 hours on average each week (including full- and part-time workers).
- The average number of statutory weeks’ of maternity leave across the top 60 countries/regions is 16.
- Around a third of the markets featured on the list benefit from a universal government-funded healthcare system, with the majority of the rest offering public or private health insurance.
Lead image / Shutterstock
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