Average Working Hours by Country (2026)
Working hours vary dramatically around the world. An employee in Germany averages about 1,340 hours per year. An employee in Mexico averages over 2,200. That difference — nearly 900 hours — shapes everything from productivity expectations to labor costs to employee well-being.
If you manage international teams, hire remotely across borders, or are expanding into new markets, understanding these differences is essential for setting realistic expectations, staying compliant with local labor laws, and building a culture that works across time zones.
- Annual working hours range from ~1,340 (Germany) to over 2,200 (Mexico) — a difference of nearly 900 hours per year
- The OECD average is approximately 1,700 hours per year, or about 33 hours per week including holidays and part-time workers
- The US is an outlier among developed countries: no statutory maximum workweek and no federal paid vacation requirement
- The global trend is toward shorter statutory maximums — Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and South Korea have all reduced hours recently
- For international teams, a single employee time tracking system that records actual hours ensures compliance with each country's rules
Global overview
According to OECD data, the average across member countries is approximately 1,700 hours per year, or roughly 33 hours per week when accounting for holidays, vacations, and part-time workers. But this average masks enormous variation.
Key patterns:
- Latin America and Asia tend to have the longest working hours
- Western and Northern Europe tend to have the shortest
- The United States falls in the middle — longer hours than most of Europe, shorter than most of Asia and Latin America
- Working hours globally are declining over the long term, but the pace varies by region
Average working hours by country
The following table shows average annual hours worked per employed person, based on OECD and ILO data. These figures include full-time and part-time workers.
| Country | Annual hours | Weekly avg | Statutory max (hrs/week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 2,226 | 42.8 | 48 |
| Colombia | 2,172 | 41.8 | 48 |
| Costa Rica | 2,149 | 41.3 | 48 |
| Chile | 2,026 | 39.0 | 45 |
| South Korea | 1,901 | 36.6 | 52 |
| Israel | 1,898 | 36.5 | 43 |
| United States | 1,811 | 34.8 | None (FLSA: OT after 40) |
| Turkey | 1,795 | 34.5 | 45 |
| Australia | 1,694 | 32.6 | 38 |
| Japan | 1,680 | 32.3 | 40 |
| Canada | 1,670 | 32.1 | Varies by province |
| New Zealand | 1,651 | 31.8 | None |
| United Kingdom | 1,532 | 29.5 | 48 (Working Time Regulations) |
| France | 1,511 | 29.1 | 35 |
| Spain | 1,494 | 28.7 | 40 |
| India | ~2,100 | ~40.4 | 48 |
| Philippines | ~2,000 | ~38.5 | 40 |
| Singapore | 1,897 | 36.5 | 44 |
| Netherlands | 1,417 | 27.3 | None (standard is 36-40) |
| Germany | 1,341 | 25.8 | 48 (standard 38-40) |
| Denmark | 1,380 | 26.5 | 37 (standard) |
| Norway | 1,425 | 27.4 | 40 |
Weekly averages are approximate — calculated by dividing annual hours by 52. Actual weekly hours for full-time workers are higher because these figures include part-time workers and vacation time.
Countries with the longest working hours
Mexico
Mexico consistently ranks at or near the top for annual working hours among OECD countries. The statutory maximum is 48 hours per week, and many workers — particularly in informal sectors — exceed it. Mexico recently passed legislation to reduce the maximum workweek from 48 to 40 hours, though implementation is being phased in.
For labor law details, see our Mexico compliance guide.
South Korea
South Korea's working hours have declined significantly after landmark 2018 reforms reduced the maximum from 68 to 52 hours per week (40 standard + 12 overtime). The culture of long hours remains strong in practice, particularly in large corporations, though younger workers are increasingly pushing back.
India
India's statutory maximum is 48 hours per week under the Factories Act, though the new Labour Codes (when fully implemented) will maintain this with some flexibility. Actual hours vary widely by industry and formality of employment. The IT and BPO sectors — key industries for remote hiring — typically operate on 45-48 hour weeks.
For labor law details, see our India compliance guide.
Colombia
Colombia has a 48-hour statutory maximum, recently reduced from 48 to a planned 42 hours per week by 2026 through a phased reduction. The country's growing BPO sector makes these changes particularly relevant for companies outsourcing to Colombia.
For labor law details, see our Colombia compliance guide.
Track Hours Across Every Time Zone
HiveDesk records actual work hours for distributed teams regardless of location or timezone. Stay compliant with local labor laws in every country where you hire.
Countries with the shortest working hours
Germany
Germany has the shortest working hours of any major economy, averaging about 1,341 hours per year. The standard workweek is 38-40 hours depending on the industry collective agreement, and workers receive a minimum of 20 days paid vacation (most get 25-30). Strong labor unions and a cultural emphasis on efficiency over hours contribute to the pattern.
For labor law details, see our Germany compliance guide.
Denmark
Denmark averages about 1,380 hours per year with a standard 37-hour workweek. Danish workers receive 5 weeks of paid vacation plus public holidays. The country consistently ranks among the highest in both productivity per hour and quality of life.
Netherlands
The Netherlands has one of the lowest annual averages (1,417 hours) partly because part-time work is extremely common — particularly among women. The Dutch "1.5 earner model" means many households have one full-time and one part-time worker. Full-time hours are typically 36-40 per week.
For labor law details, see our Netherlands compliance guide.
Working hours in the United States
The US is an outlier among developed countries in several ways:
- No statutory maximum workweek. The FLSA does not cap hours — it only requires overtime pay (1.5x) after 40 hours per week for non-exempt employees.
- No federal paid vacation requirement. The US is the only OECD country with no statutory minimum paid leave. Average private-sector workers receive about 10 days of paid vacation after one year of tenure.
- Actual hours: The average across all workers (including part-time) is about 1,811 hours per year. For full-time workers, the average is closer to 2,000 hours — significantly more than Western Europe.
State laws add some protections. See our US state labor law guides for details on overtime rules, break requirements, and scheduling laws by state.
Key Takeaway
The US is the only OECD country with no statutory minimum paid leave. Average private-sector workers receive about 10 days of paid vacation after one year — compared to 20-30 days in most of Western Europe.
How working hours vary by industry
| Industry | Typical weekly hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | 40-50 | Exempt workers often exceed 40; startup culture pushes hours higher |
| Healthcare | 36-60 | Shift-dependent; nurses often work 36 hrs (three 12-hr shifts) |
| Manufacturing | 40-50 | Overtime common during production peaks |
| Contact centers and BPO | 40-48 | Shift-based; 24/7 operations may use compressed schedules |
| Professional services | 40-60 | Billable hour expectations push actual hours higher |
| Retail and hospitality | 25-40 | High proportion of part-time; variable scheduling |
| Construction | 40-50 | Seasonal variation; overtime during project deadlines |
Trends shaping global working hours
The four-day work week movement
Multiple countries have piloted or adopted four-day workweek policies. The UK's 2022 pilot (61 companies, 6 months) found that revenue stayed flat or increased while employee well-being improved significantly. Iceland ran the largest trial (2015-2019) and subsequently moved most public-sector workers to shorter weeks. Belgium passed legislation in 2022 giving workers the right to compress their workweek into four days.
Remote work and flexible schedules
Remote work has blurred the boundary between "working hours" and "available hours." Some studies show remote workers logging more hours than office counterparts (no commute time creates a longer potential workday), while others show that flexibility allows workers to be more efficient in fewer hours. The net effect on total hours is still debated.
Right-to-disconnect laws
France (2017), Portugal (2021), and several other countries have enacted laws giving employees the right to ignore work communications outside of working hours. These laws directly address the "always on" culture that extends effective working hours beyond the scheduled workday.
Declining statutory maximums
The long-term trend is toward shorter statutory maximums. Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and South Korea have all reduced maximum working hours in recent years. The EU's Working Time Directive caps the average workweek at 48 hours, and many member states set lower standards.
Respect Cultural Norms
An employee in Germany asked to work 50-hour weeks will view it very differently than an employee in South Korea. Cultural expectations around work hours affect retention and morale just as much as legal requirements.
How to manage working hours across countries
If you hire across borders, working hours are not optional knowledge — they determine your compliance obligations.
Understand local labor laws before hiring
Every country has rules about maximum hours, overtime pay, rest periods, and paid leave. Violating them creates legal liability in the employee's jurisdiction. Our compliance center covers labor laws for 45 countries.
Track actual hours worked
For remote international teams, self-reported hours on spreadsheets are unreliable. Automatic time tracking captures actual work hours regardless of the employee's location or timezone.
Respect cultural norms around overtime
An employee in Germany who is asked to work 50-hour weeks will view it very differently than an employee in South Korea, even if both are legally permitted to do so. Cultural expectations around work hours affect retention, morale, and productivity.
Use time tracking to stay compliant
When your team spans multiple countries, a single time tracking system that records actual hours ensures you can verify compliance with each country's rules. HiveDesk tracks hours across time zones for distributed teams at $5/user/month.
Frequently asked questions
Which country works the most hours per year?
Among OECD countries, Mexico consistently ranks highest at approximately 2,226 hours per year. Globally, several non-OECD countries (including Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Cambodia) likely have higher averages, though reliable data is limited.
What is the average workweek in the US?
For all workers (including part-time), the average is approximately 34.8 hours per week. For full-time workers only, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average of about 38.7 hours per week. Exempt workers in professional services and technology often exceed 45 hours.
How many hours is full-time in Europe?
It varies by country. The EU Working Time Directive sets a maximum average of 48 hours per week, but most countries set lower standards: France at 35 hours, Germany at 38-40, Denmark at 37, the Netherlands at 36-40. "Full-time" in much of Western Europe is 35-40 hours per week.
What is the OECD average for working hours?
The OECD average is approximately 1,700 hours per year per employed person, or about 33 hours per week. This includes both full-time and part-time workers and accounts for holidays and vacation time.
