In this article, we will look at the 20 countries with the longest hours in the world. We have also talked about the issues stemming from overworking. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 5 Countries with the Longest Working Hours in the World.
Overworking, especially during young adulthood, comes with a plethora of challenges, according to a study. Surprisingly, only a quarter of participants in the study maintained traditional daytime hours, while the majority had variable schedules such as night shifts and rotating hours. This discrepancy in work schedules resulted in less sleep and increased vulnerability to depression and poor health by the age of 50. Indeed, the toll of overwork manifests in physical and mental health struggles.
The repercussions of overwork are particularly stark for marginalized groups. Black men and women and workers with limited education disproportionately bear the burden of night shifts and volatile work schedules. For instance, the study cited above says that white college-educated women with stable daytime jobs reported significantly more sleep than their Black male counterparts with unstable employment histories. Moreover, insufficient sleep resulting from overwork is not just a personal inconvenience; it’s a public health concern. Chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are linked to inadequate sleep, with African Americans facing a higher risk due to systemic factors.
In Europe, the specter of overwork also looms large as inflation continues its relentless climb. With costs increasing, many find themselves strapped for cash. Recent data from Qualtrics reveals that nearly half of UK employees are either seeking or considering a second job, with 77% contemplating overtime or extra shifts just to make ends meet. This trend isn’t isolated; Germany and France report similar sentiments, with major portions of their workforce contemplating dual employment or higher-paying roles.
Apart from France and Germany, Montenegro is one of the countries with the longest work hours in Europe whereas Netherlands is one of the countries with the shortest work hours in Europe.
However, in 2024, we do expect overworking culture to change. According to a recent survey by Nous, over 40% of HR leaders acknowledge that employees are now tackling more ‘life admin’ tasks during work hours. In terms of formal regulations, in California, proposed legislation aims to safeguard employees’ personal time by penalizing employers who contact them after work hours. Under the bill, employers breaching this right could face a minimum fine of $100. The bill stipulates clear agreements between employers and employees regarding working hours and thus, allows individuals to ignore non-emergency communications outside these times. Speaking of working hours, the average working hours per day in the US were 8.42 in 2022 on a weekday.
To help the compromised state of overworked employees and ensure their retention, Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ:CSCO) and Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM) engage in employee wellbeing through their volunteering programs. According to Benevity’s 2022 talent retention study, participation in workplace volunteering and purpose programs reduces the likelihood of employees leaving by 52%.
Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM) boasts a 75% employee participation rate in its volunteering program. Both the companies offer both in-person and virtual volunteering opportunities that cater to diverse preferences.
On the other hand, Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ:CSCO) has an 85% volunteer participation rate and focuses on offering diverse volunteering options to align with employees’ personal purposes. Their volunteering opportunities range from urban farming to theater programming.
Additionally, both companies tend to focus on leadership involvement as a catalyst for employee engagement. Cisco Systems Inc (NASDAQ:CSCO) attributes its volunteering program’s success to leaders serving as role models whereas Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM) holds volunteering events within office spaces to make it convenient for employees to contribute without extensive travel.
A finanical sector worker working on a laptop in front of a row of cubicles.
Our Methodology
To list the countries with the longest working hours in the world, we relied on ILO’s database on average hours per week per employed person as of January 2024. The list is presented in ascedning order of average hours per week.
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20. Senegal
Average Hours per Week: 45.5
Senegal has been recently involved in uplifting its women to join the country’s active workforce. Through initiatives like the ILO’s Skill-UP project, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Digital Economy and FESTIC, training sessions have been conducted to introduce mobile application development to 300 young women aged 17 to 22.
19. Kenya
Average Hours per Week: 45.6
In Kenya, the drive towards sustainable employment can be judged through the green jobs assessment conducted by the Kenya Institute of Public Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), with technical assistance from the International Labour Organization (ILO). This effort complements the Youth Employment for Sustainable Development (YESD) project, which, funded by the Government of Japan, focuses on creating opportunities in sectors like road construction and maintenance.
18. Brunei Darussalam
Average Hours per Week: 46.0
The COVID-19 pandemic largely impacted work and labor in Brunei as 72.6% of respondents in a work-related survey were affected in 2021. Moreover, 44.5% fell victim to unemployment, 10.9% received no pay increments, and 7.8% experienced heavier workloads. Additionally, 4.7% endured reduced salaries or working hours, while the same percentage faced layoffs.
No doubt, Brunei Darussalam is also one of the most overworked countries in Asia.
17. Macau, China
Average Hours per Week: 46.0
Employees in Macau are known to be some of the unhappiest. A survey conducted by the Macao Federation of Trade Unions and the Commercial Employees’ General Association of Macau indicates that 65% of workers feel their industry offers limited opportunities for growth. Shockingly, over 90% report stagnant or decreased salaries compared to 2022.
On a side note, Macau is one of the most urbanized countries in Asia.
16. China
Average Hours per Week: 46.1
The overworked work-culture in China is such that there has been a growing trend of young professionals leaving stable jobs due ow salaries and burnout. In fact, extravagant “resignation parties” are replacing traditional farewells that speaks volumes about their dissatisfaction.
15. Burkina Faso
Average Hours per Week: 46.3
In Burkina Faso, the regular work-week consists of 40 hours. Any work beyond this timeframe is considered overtime, which must be compensated at a minimum rate of 125% for the initial four hours and 150% for subsequent hours, as stipulated by the Labor Code.
14. Maldives
Average Hours per Week: 46.5
There are 46.5 work hours per employed person in a week in Maldives on average, making it the 14th country in our list to have the longest working hours in the world.
13. India
Average Hours per Week: 46.7
In India, the workforce is under a severe strain, as 68% of managers feel overworked, according to a survey of over 3800 managers. Shockingly, 33% are actively looking for new positions within six months, and 59% within a year. Despite being deemed essential for financial objectives and strategy, managers are dissatisfied, citing career stagnation (73%) and lack of recognition (71%) as additional factors.
India is one of the most respected countries in Asia.
12. Pakistan
Average Hours per Week: 46.9
While Pakistan has a general culture of overworked jobs. Some of the most underpaid and overworked jobs in Pakistan are in the legal sector. Fresh law graduates receive monthly salaries as low as Rs15,000 ($54) to Rs30,000 ($108) which is often below the minimum wage of the country.
11. Bangladesh
Average Hours per Week: 46.9
Bangladesh is one of the countries with the longest working hours in 2024. Moreover, majority of workers (comprising 84.9%), according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, work in the informal sector without basic rights like fair wages, fixed hours, or health insurance.
10. Jordan
Average Hours per Week: 47.0
While Jordan is not quite friendly with its work hours but in April 2017, it introduced Regulation No. 22 of 2017. The regulation essentially targeted specific employee categories, including those with three years of tenure, individuals with family responsibilities, university students, and disabled employees. It offers different flexible work options, such as part-time work, flexible daily or weekly schedules, and remote work.
9. Mongolia
Average Hours per Week: 47.3
With 47.3 average working hours per week, Mongolia is one of the top 10 countries with the longest working hours in the world. Moreover, despite an average annual GDP per capita growth of 5.4% from 2000 to 2019, labor productivity levels are relatively low. Labor force participation is less than 60%, as only about half of the working-age population was employed in 2021.
8. Lebanon
Average Hours per Week: 47.6
As of January 2022, the official unemployment rate in Lebanon increased to 29.6%. Moreover, the informal economy absorbs approximately 60% of employment which translated into the prevalence of precarious work arrangements. Another concerning trend is the rise in “underutilized labor,” which grew from 16.2% in 2018-2019 to 50.1% in January 2022.
7. Mauritania
Average Hours per Week: 47.6
In Mauritania, despite a legal weekly duration of 40 hours, many workers work significantly longer workweeks, with 56 hours being commonplace. Mauritania is one of the countries with the longest working hours in the world per day.
6. Liberia
Average Hours per Week: 47.7
While Liberia is one of the countries with the highest annual working hours, it also struggles with youth unemployment issues. Currently, youth unemployment stands at 3.08% despite efforts from international partners like the United Nations, USAID, and the European Union.
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Disclosure: None. 20 Countries with the Longest Working Hours in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.