Work is a major and important part of our lifestyles, it enables us as individuals to have a life outside of work, while we learn new things to grow, according to the happiness index “A healthy work-life balance allows everyone to excel at work and take care of their personal wellbeing outside of the office”.

When looking for a new country or place to make your home, it is essential to ensure you have good places to work and companies with the best work-life balance. Some of the top countries for ideal work-life balance, are New Zealand, Spain, Denmark, France, Australia, Norway, Netherlands, and Brazil.

New Zealand

The one to land on top of the list is New Zealand, while also being on top of the remote’s ranking, the country offers 26 paid weeks of maternity leave, a relatively high minimum wage, 32 days of statutory annual leave, and a minimum of 80% statutory sick pay. These policies ensure that employees have ample time for personal life and recovery, making New Zealand an attractive place for those seeking a balanced lifestyle.

Spain

Spain’s approach to work-life balance is quite different from other European countries; they prioritize leisure time over work with an average working hour of 37.8 hours a week. Their workday typically starts at 8:30 or 9 am and ends at 1:30 pm, allowing for a long afternoon break. landing the second place on the Remote Index, Spain’s employment policies mandate 26 days of statutory annual leave allowing the employees plenty of time for rest and personal activities.

Denmark

A typical full-time workweek in Denmark is just 37 hours spread over five days, which means only about seven hours a day. The country offers 36 days of statutory leave, and workers must be paid 100% of their wages for sick days. These generous leave policies and shorter work hours ensure that employees have enough time for family, hobbies, and relaxation.

France

France is renowned for its work-life balance. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Index, the average French worker has about 16.2 hours of personal and leisure time daily. France believes that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is a fundamental employment right. backing the third place on the Remote Index for work-life balance and offering the highest statutory annual leave, France’s employment laws are very protective, they provide strong labour conditions, including a mandate that every employee must spend at least 11 consecutive hours away from work. This emphasis on personal time helps French workers stay refreshed and productive.

Australia

Australia is known for its laid-back and easy-going attitude toward life. Australians prioritize life and leisure time over work, with an average of only 31.9 hours of work per week and the eighth position on the Remote Index with the OECD average index of 1.3%, Australia’s commitment to improving work-life balance is truly appreciable. This focus on shorter work hours and ample leisure time contributes to a relaxed and happy lifestyle.

Norway

Norway advocates for a balanced lifestyle as well. Norwegian employees spend an average of 42.9 hours per week working, with employment laws mandating a minimum of 25 paid vacation days. Norwegians strongly believe that individuals should have a life outside of work, with traditional working hours lasting 8 am to 4 pm or 9 am to 5 pm. Their approach ensures that employees have enough time to relax and enjoy life.

Netherlands

People in the Netherlands generally work within defined boundaries and established working hours. A common Dutch person usually spends about 15.9 hours per day on leisure activities. Known for its flexible work-from-home and work arrangements, the Netherlands enjoys one of the best work-life balances. These flexible working conditions allow employees to balance their professional and personal lives effectively.

Brazil

Brazil has a universal government-funded healthcare system and provides a generous number of sick leaves with paid maternity leave on top of a mandatory 1 month of paid vacation, which is significantly higher than in other countries. These policies ensure that employees have ample time to recover from illness and spend quality time with their families.

In conclusion, when choosing a new country to call home, it is important to consider how important work-life balance is for your life. Countries like New Zealand, Spain, Denmark, France, Australia, Norway, the Netherlands, and Brazil excel in promoting a healthy balance between work and personal life. A good work-life balance helps people stay healthy and happy, leading to better job results, output, and overall growth of the individual and the firm.

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