In this article, we will take a look at the 25 countries with the most public holidays in the world. If you want to skip our discussion on the global variation in public holidays, you can go directly to the 5 Countries with the Most Public Holidays in the World.
Public holidays are recognized globally but vary greatly from one country to another due to cultural, religious, and historical influences. India and Colombia are amongst the countries with the highest number of public holidays in the world, each celebrating around 18-20 days annually. On the other hand, countries like Mexico and China are amongst the countries with the least public holidays in the world (7-8 days each year).
While some countries require employers to provide paid time off on specific public holidays, the United States does not. Instead, the US government recognizes 10 federal holidays, leaving it to individual employers to decide whether to grant their employees the day off with pay. This disparity in holiday policies highlights the diversity in work culture and labor laws worldwide.
Public holidays also significantly impact the financial and business sectors. Major stock exchanges such as the NYSE, NASDAQ, and London Stock Exchange typically close on public holidays. This leads to fluctuations in trading volumes and market liquidity before and after these holidays.
Between 2001 and 2022, the S&P 500’s performance during the Thanksgiving season has been inconsistent, with positive returns occurring only half of the time. Throughout this period, the S&P 500 experienced gains of over 1% on just three Black Fridays: in 2001, 2007, and 2012. Conversely, it declined by as much as 1.7% in 2009.
Thanksgiving holds significance for the food industry, while Black Friday stands out as a major day for retailers. The stock markets in the US remain closed on Thanksgiving and operate with shortened hours on Black Friday. Research suggests that markets typically witness heightened trading activity and increased returns on the day preceding a holiday or a long weekend, a phenomenon commonly referred to as the holiday or weekend effect.
Public holidays can be particularly advantageous for certain sectors, such as retail, hospitality, and tourism, as they often witness significant profits during these periods. This is because individuals tend to travel, dine out, and shop more on holidays. The Christmas season, for instance, often sees an increase in retail spending.
Recent data from the National Retail Federation (NRF) indicates that, on average, Americans spend approximately $997.73 each Christmas. That equates to roughly the median pre-tax weekly salary of $1,001. In other words, on average, Americans devote about one week’s worth of their salary annually to purchasing Christmas gifts.
Moreover, holidays also help improve long-term productivity by preventing burnout and boosting employee morale. Employees working in offices that extend closures beyond federal holidays are notably more inclined to report higher productivity during their time in the office. Specifically, 42% of employees in offices with extended closures report increased productivity, compared to only 17% in offices that remain open outside of federal holidays.
Considering these aspects, companies also give high priority to providing enough holidays and comprehensive leave policies. For instance, corporations like Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL), Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM), and Roku (NASDAQ:ROKU) have attractive paid time off (PTO) policies, resulting in a happier workforce.
At Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL), employees enjoy eleven specified paid holidays, which include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Presidents Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Christmas, and Thanksgiving (two days). Furthermore, Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) provides a range of leave options, such as maternity, personal, paid parental, and bereavement, as part of its diverse leave policies.
Meanwhile, Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM) implements a flexible paid time off policy, essentially offering employees unlimited vacation time. Similarly, for salaried employees, Roku (NASDAQ:ROKU) doesn’t monitor vacations or have set holidays. Employees can take as much vacation as they feel they need as long as they complete their work and don’t disrupt others’ tasks or deadlines. Just a quick check-in and notice before taking time off is all that’s required.
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Our Methodology
To create the list of the 25 countries with the highest number of public holidays worldwide, we referred to multiple sources, including official government sites, Business Day, Time and Date, Wise, and Social Talent, amongst others. These countries are ranked in ascending order based on their total public holidays for the most recent calendar year. It’s important to note that the count of public holidays can vary annually due to variations in the calendar. Furthermore, countries may occasionally introduce one-time holidays for specific cultural or religious events. Additionally, some countries delegate the final decisions regarding public holidays to local governments. For countries with the same number of public holiday, we did the tie-breaking based on their scores on Global Life-Work Balance Index of 2023. For countries missing on their index, we checked up work-life balance situation for them on other sources.
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25 Countries with the Most Public Holidays in the World
25. Turkey
Total Public Holidays = 14
Turkey observes approximately 14 public holidays. Key national holidays include New Year’s Day, Labor and Solidarity Day, and the Commemoration of Atatürk. Turkey also observes Islamic holidays, such as Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha, based on the lunar calendar.
24. South Korea
Total Public Holidays = 14
South Korea celebrates various public holidays, including Chuseok, a three-day harvest festival similar to Thanksgiving. Other important holidays include the Lunar New Year called Seollal, which involves family reunions and ancestral rites, and Children’s Day, a celebration of the young with various family events.
23. Trinidad and Tobago
Total Public Holidays = 15
Trinidad and Tobago observe a mix of cultural and religious holidays. Carnival Monday and Tuesday stand out, with street parades and calypso music. Independence Day marks the nation’s liberation from colonial rule, and Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is also widely celebrated.
22. Lithuania
Total Public Holidays = 15
Lithuania commemorates its history and culture with 15 public holidays like Statehood Day, honoring the first king’s coronation, and Restoration of Independence Day. Traditional festivities include Užgavėnės, a pre-Lenten festival celebrating the retreat of winter.
21. Slovakia
Total Public Holidays = 15
Slovakia celebrates Constitution Day to mark the adoption of its constitution, alongside St. Cyril & Methodius Day, which honors the Christian missionaries who brought Christianity to the region. Other holidays include All Saints’ Day, a day of remembrance for deceased loved ones.
20. Kazakhstan
Total Public Holidays = 16
Kazakhstan celebrates its Independence Day with great pride. Unity Day fosters harmony among Kazakhstan’s diverse ethnic groups, and Nauryz, the Persian New Year, is a spring festival that includes concerts, street food, and traditional games.
19. Indonesia
Total Public Holidays = 16
Indonesia has public holidays that reflect its multicultural and multi-religious society. Indonesians celebrate Independence Day with flag-hoisting ceremonies, and Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, is observed with quiet reflection. Eid Al-Fitr and Christmas are also nationally recognized public holidays. Indonesia is among the top 20 countries with the most public holidays in the world.
18. Pakistan
Total Public Holidays = 16
Pakistan observes national holidays such as Independence Day, which celebrates its independence from British rule, and Pakistan Day, which commemorates the Lahore Resolution. Religious holidays like Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are also observed.
17. Japan
Total Public Holidays = 16
Japan’s 16 holidays include Golden Week, a series of four national holidays within one week, creating a long vacation period for citizens. The Emperor’s Birthday is a day of national pride and celebration, while Children’s Day features carp-shaped kites symbolizing strength and success.
16. Thailand
Total Public Holidays = 16
Thailand’s key holidays include the King’s Birthday, which is also the country’s Father’s Day, and Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year. Similarly, the Queen’s Birthday is celebrated as Mother’s Day.
15. Sweden
Total Public Holidays = 16
Sweden’s public holidays include Midsummer, celebrated with maypoles and dancing, symbolizing the joy of summer. Meanwhile, the National Day commemorates the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523, marking the beginning of modern Sweden. Christmas and Easter are also celebrated in the country.
14. Philippines
Total Public Holidays = 18
Philippines’ holidays reflect its historical and cultural legacy, with Araw ng Kagitingan (the day of valor) remembering the bravery of Filipino and American soldiers during WWII. Moreover, Rizal Day honors national hero José Rizal, and Christmas is celebrated extensively, reflecting the country’s strong Catholic faith.
13. Colombia
Total Public Holidays = 18
Colombia celebrates many different holidays like Independence Day with parades and festivities and Holy Week with processions and religious ceremonies, particularly in historical cities like Popayán.
12. Lebanon
Total Public Holidays = 19
Lebanon celebrates both religious and national holidays, like Independence Day, marking freedom from French rule, and Eid Al-Fitr, ending the fasting month of Ramadan. Other significant days include Armenian Christmas and the Annunciation, reflecting the nation’s religious and ethnic diversity.
11. Argentina
Total Public Holidays = 19
Argentina marks Revolution Day, remembering the May Revolution of 1810, which led to its independence. Malvinas Day commemorates the soldiers of the Falklands War. Other important public holidays include Independence Day and the Day of National Sovereignty, which are observed with public events.
10. Liechtenstein
Total Public Holidays = 20
Liechtenstein celebrates National Day on August 15th, coinciding with the Feast of the Assumption. This holiday includes a speech by the Prince, a fair, and fireworks. Moreover, St. Berchtold’s Day involves communal meals and traditional music, highlighting communal bonds. Liechtenstein is one of the countries with the most public holidays in Europe.
9. Cambodia
Total Public Holidays = 21
Cambodia observes the Khmer New Year, one of the most important holidays, with house cleanings, games, and ceremonial offerings. Another significant holiday is the Pchum Ben, which involves offerings to ancestors at temples, reflecting the deep cultural respect for family lineage. Cambodia is among the top 10 countries with the most public holidays in the world.
8. Malaysia
Total Public Holidays = 21
Malaysia celebrates Malaysia Day, commemorating the establishment of the Malaysian Federation. Moreover, Hari Raya Aidilfitri marks the end of Ramadan with open houses and feasts. The Chinese New Year and Deepavali are also public holidays.
7. India
Total Public Holidays = 21
India’s multiple holidays include Diwali, the festival of lights, and Holi, the festival of colors. Meanwhile, Republic Day marks the adoption of its constitution with grand parades, and Independence Day is celebrated with flag-hoisting ceremonies across the country.
6. Bangladesh
Total Public Holidays = 22
Bangladesh celebrates its Independence Day with parades and cultural programs. The Bengali New Year, Pohela Boishakh, starts with colorful processions and fairs. Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are also major religious holidays marked by prayers and communal feasts.
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