The 10 countries with the best work-life balance
For years, the Remote platform has been compiling a ranking of countries with the best work-life balance – that is, the best balance between life and work, for those who live there.
Countries with the highest GDP are those that ensure a higher quality of life and, consequently, happiness.
The website has just updated its evaluation parameters, adding both the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people and new parameters for perceived safety.
When evaluating countries, Remote calculates, for example, weekly working hours, recognized maternity and paternity leave days, the percentage of paid sick leave benefits, and the healthcare system.
According to these evaluations, here are the 10 countries with the best work-life balance and job well-being.
Ready for a tour?
10 – Spain
With a score of 70.6, Spain ranks tenth with 36 days of vacation per year and 16 weeks of paid maternity leave. Spain offers a guaranteed minimum wage and is a place where LGBTQ+ rights are respected and is considered a safe country.
9 – Norway
For those who expected higher positions on the podium, they will have to "settle" for this ninth place. Norway scores 70.85 according to Remote's ranking; 35 vacation days a year, 18 weeks of parental leave, and an LGBTQ+ inclusivity score higher than all 10 countries on the podium. However, it lacks a minimum wage.
8 – Australia
On the other side of the globe, it's confirmed that life is good: a score of 71.35; 30 vacation days a year, 12 weeks of parental leave, and a minimum wage. Weekly working hours are approximately 32. Work flexibility with a short week and more free time for them.
7 – Finland
With a score of 71.55, it surpasses Australia. This is due to 36 days of annual leave and almost 18 weeks of maternity leave. Among all the cities in the top 10 positions, Helsinki has the highest happiness rate. Hooray.
6 – Germany
Germans always occupy interesting positions in these rankings: 71.84 points describe a country with 30 days of vacation, a minimum wage, a good pace of inclusivity and safety. Balanced in their results too.
5 – Canada
Only 17 vacation days (workaholics!) – yet they enjoy 17 weeks of parental leave, a minimum wage, public healthcare, a decidedly short work week (32 hours), and a good rate of inclusivity and safety. Everything adds up.
4 – Denmark
With 73.45 points (in reality, there is a tie with the next country, so it can also be considered a third place), it boasts 35 days of annual leave, 18 weeks of maternity leave, and the second-highest score regarding happiness evaluation. However, there is no minimum wage.
3 – Belgium
73.45 points, tied with Denmark. It takes a place on the podium of countries where work-life balance optimizes job well-being to the maximum: 30 vacation days, 15 weeks of parental leave, balance for all other values, from happiness rates to inclusion and safety.
2 – Ireland
If you thought the spot would be occupied by some country in far Northern Europe, you were mistaken: with 77.89 points, the Irish prove they know how to enjoy themselves without killing themselves with work: 30 vacation days, a generous 26 weeks of parental leave, demonstrating that parenthood is taken very seriously and is a good sign for the stability of new families; minimum wage, public healthcare, and excellent happiness and safety rates. Let's pack our bags and go, it's only a 3-hour flight.
1 – New Zealand
Too bad it's quite far away, otherwise we would consider it: with 80.76 points according to Remote, this is the country where work-life balance has been achieved by most people. 32 days of vacation, 26 weeks of maternity leave. The minimum wage is the highest guaranteed compared to the top 10 countries in the ranking, public healthcare, safety and happiness rates with excellent scores, and above all, work flexibility, favored by the short week, make it the perfect place to live and work.
So: are we leaving?