Life-Work Index 2024: Here is the list of the top 10 countries with the best work-life balance. (Source: Canva)
As the boundaries between professional and personal life continue to blur in the era of hybrid work, the concept of work-life balance has taken centre stage. A report by Randstad reveals that 57% of workers would not accept a job that would negatively affect their work-life balance, including flexibility like working from home, highlighting the urgent need for individuals to strike a harmonious balance between their professional responsibilities and personal well-being.
“Everyone should be able to enjoy both personal fulfilment and professional success, no matter where they live,” Job van der Voort, co-founder and CEO of Remote, mentioned.
As achieving work-life balance has become extremely crucial for enhancing overall well-being, boosting productivity, and driving organisational success, Remote’s recent report, the Global Life-Work Balance Index, reveals the countries that have successfully implemented policies and practices that support a healthy work-life balance.
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It assesses the quality of life-work balance in the world’s top 60 GDP countries, ranking each nation out of 100. The overall score is determined through minimum wage, sick leave, maternity leave, healthcare availability, public happiness, average working hours, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
According to the report, Europe is leading in terms of life-work balance. European nations make up six of the top 10 countries in Remote’s study. Unfortunately, India is ranked 43rd, and the United States is ranked a lowly 53rd in the index due to the lack of statutory annual leave or sick pay.
“The top countries on our global life-work balance list are leading the way for a brighter future of work by embracing this philosophy and offering the infrastructure to support it,”Voort said.
Explore the top 10 nations with the best work-life balance, as of 2024:
| Overall Rank | Country & Capital City | Region | Index Score/100 | Happiness Index |
| 1 | New Zealand, Wellington | Oceania | 79.35 | 78 |
| 2 | Spain, Madrid | Europe | 75.55 | 84 |
| 3 | France, Paris | Europe | 75.34 | 78 |
| 4 | Australia, Canberra | Oceania | 73.71 | 84 |
| 5 | Denmark, Copenhagen | Europe | 73.67 | 86 |
| 6 | Norway, Oslo | Europe | 73.05 | 86 |
| 7 | Netherlands, Amsterdam | Europe | 69.14 | 85 |
| 8 | United Kingdom, London | Europe | 69.07 | 82 |
| 9 | Canada, Ottawa | Americas | 67.91 | 90 |
| 10 | Brazil, Brasilia | Americas | 67.73 | 8 |
Source: Remote
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1. New Zealand
According to a recent index, New Zealand has been ranked as the country with the best life-work balance. This island nation has a strong economy and has scored highly across several metrics to secure the top spot. The country offers a generous statutory annual leave allowance of 32 days, a high sick pay rate of 80%, and a government-funded universal health care system.
2. Spain
With a consistently high score across the board, the country stands out for its generous statutory annual leave of 36 days as well as its short average working week.
3. France
France is one of the largest European countries, with a population of around 65 million people. It is also one of the countries with the countries with the highest GDP in the world. French businesses prioritise life-work balance, which is reflected in the shorter working hours (average of 25.6 hours per week), a generous minimum wage, and 36 days of statutory annual leave per year. In 2017, France introduced the “right to disconnect” law, which legally allows workers to avoid checking and responding to emails outside of work hours to reduce work-related stress.
4. Australia
Australia has a good reputation for life-work balance. The country provides the highest minimum annual wage per hour compared to other countries. It also offers 100% paid sick leave and a robust public healthcare system to support its workers.
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5. Denmark
Denmark is often considered one of the happiest nations in the world, ranking second in the “Happiness Index” metric behind Finland. The country offers its workers several benefits, including a generous 36 days of annual leave, 100% sick pay, and universal healthcare support. Along with Norway, Denmark is also known for being the most LGBTQ+-friendly country in Europe. Danish culture places great emphasis on work-life balance, with workers enjoying more free time compared to their European counterparts. The country’s high taxation rate contributes to a strong welfare society, providing its citizens with access to free education and healthcare.
6. Norway
Norway aligns closely with Denmark in prioritising life over work, with Norwegians known for their high levels of happiness in Europe. Workers in Norway enjoy 35 days of annual leave and full sick pay. Long workweeks are uncommon in Norway, reflecting a culture that values life outside of work. Additionally, Norway’s government-funded healthcare system is highly regarded, with per capita health expenditure surpassing that of many other nations.
7. The Netherlands
The Netherlands is known for its progressive, independent culture and is ranked as the second-happiest country among the top 10. It is also considered one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly nations. While the Dutch do not have access to a government-provided healthcare system and their annual leave entitlement is around average, they benefit from generous maternity pay policies for parents.
Consistently ranked as one of the top countries regarding economic freedom, human development, and quality of life, the Netherlands is characterised by a healthy work-life balance among its workers. The average working week in the Netherlands is just under 27 hours, indicating that Dutch employees generally enjoy a good balance between their professional and personal lives.
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8. The United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is a high-income economy with a very high human development index rating. It has the sixth-largest economy in the world based on GDP. The country values life-work balance, which is reflected in its internationally renowned healthcare system, a generous minimum wage, and one of the highest global rates of statutory maternity leave. Although UK society is known for hard work, workers in the UK work just 25.6 hours per week on average (full- and part-time workers combined), which is the joint-shortest working week of any country on the list.
9. Canada
Canada, the world’s second-largest country by land area, offers a high quality of life with its stunning natural scenery, diverse culture, and strong economy. Unlike the United States, Canada provides universal healthcare coverage for its citizens. Additionally, Canada is considered the most LGBTQ+-friendly country globally, making it an attractive place to live and work.
10. Brazil
With a population of over 216 million, Brazil has the sixth-largest population in the world. Despite being the only South American country to rank in the top 10 for work-life balance, Brazil offers several benefits that contribute to its ranking, owing to its generous sick pay and maternity leave policies. In addition, the universal healthcare system funded by the government has helped it secure a spot among the top countries for achieving a healthy balance between work and personal life.
