7 Countries With Four Day Work Week (2024)

According to government data, at only 29 hours per week, Netherlands has one of the shortest average work weeks in the world. The country ends up having 4-Day work week despite not having official rules for it.

At 33 hours per week, Denmark has 2nd shortest average workweek in the world, an OECD report suggests. Denmark, too, doesn't have formal rules for it but most people work only four days a week in the country.

The Belgian government in early 2022 introduced a new labor market reform that allows workers to choose to work a 4 day work week. But a 4 day week is 4 x 10 hour days.

From finance to fashion, Australia began a four day work week pilot program across 20 companies. According to Australian law, an employer can expect employees to work for a maximum of 38 hours per week.

Away from country's intense work culture, Japan released new guidelines to encourage 4 day work weeks. Japan's 2021 annual economic policy recommended 4 day work week culture to prevent 'karoshi' (death by overwork)

The Spanish government will invest 50 million euros ($60 million) into a three-year, 4 day work week trial program, with 200 companies as participants.

The UK began a massive 4 day work week pilot program in 2022 that included 70 businesses, over 3,300 employees. By law, employees cannot be required to work more than 48 hours in a given week.