Global Perspective: How Does Your Work Week Compare?
- Written by Victoria Robertz
- Approx. Reading Time: 3 Minutes
Comparing Work Hours: An Analysis of Your Workload in Relation to Others' - Comparing work schedules: Assessing your workload relative to employees in general.
Everyone's heard the gossip - Germans allegedly work less and leisure more, dragging down the economy. However, let's take a closer look at the facts and see where Germany stands in the global work-hour race.
In 2023, the average German employee aged 20 to 64 clocked in for 35.1 hours per week, compared to the EU average of 37 hours. This contrasts greatly with Greece, where the work week averaged 40.9 hours. However, compare that to China, where the National Bureau of Statistics notes a whopping 48 to 49 hours weekly average.
Yet, not all EU countries work fewer hours than Germany. The Dutch maintained a lead in the work-hour race, logging 33.1 hours per week on average. When it comes to Generation Z, the story shifts. While Germans work just above the EU average of 38.8 hours, it's the younger generation who outperform in many countries like Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands. Young Americans even surpass these EU averages, with those aged 16 to 19 working 24.1 hours per week, and 20 to 24-year-olds working 34.8 hours.
Looking at older age groups, the picture changes. People aged 35 to 49 work closer to the EU average of 40.6 hours weekly. However, Germany is slightly below average, with Belgium, France, Italy, and Spain ahead of the pack. The Netherlands, Denmark, and Finland once again have shorter workweeks, while Greece and Austria lead at the higher end of the spectrum.
As we move to the 55 to 64 age group, Americans finish work early compared to their European counterparts, working 38 hours compared to the 40.7 EU average. While Germany still holds the line at 40.4 hours, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Finland have shorter workweeks, with Austria and Greece at the top.
When it comes to overtime, Japan is an interesting case. A significant portion of the population works more than 60 hours per week, with senior citizens accounting for around 7% to 5% of both men and women in 2023.
In sum, while Germany leans towards the EU average when compared across all age groups, the younger generation often exceeds those averages. At the same time, some European countries hold above-average work weeks, while the United States puts in fewer hours than its European counterparts, especially among the older workforce. When it comes to overtime, Japan continues to lead globally in this area.
- Denmark, particularly among the younger generation, demonstrates higher efficiency in vocational training, evident in the lower average work hours per week for those aged 16 to 24, compared to Germany and other EU countries.
- In 2023, the average work week for a Danish employee aged 20 to 64 is significantly lower compared to China, with Denmarkclocking in for approximately 40 hours per week, while China averages 48 to 49 hours.
- Denmark has a notably shorter work week compared to Germany, especially among younger age groups, and is one of the European countries setting a trend in work-life balance policies, including comprehensive community policies and vocational training programs.
