Top 15 Countries Where People Work the Most Hours (2025)

How many hours people work each week can vary significantly across the globe. From cultural expectations to economic necessities and legal frameworks, several factors contribute to national work hour averages.

In some countries, long hours can be seen as a symbol of dedication. Others prioritize a healthy balance between work and personal life.

This disparity in working hours often reflects deeper societal values, labor policies, and economic realities. In nations with weaker labor protections or lower average incomes, people may feel compelled to work longer just to maintain a basic standard of living.

Conversely, countries with stronger social support systems and labor regulations empower individuals to prioritize rest, family time, and well-being.

Top 15 Countries Where People Work the Most Hours

The average work hours of a country can reflect bothcultural attitudes and economic pressures. According to various labor research bodies, workers in the following countries put in some of the longest hours globally.

⚠️ Note: High work hours might suggest dedication, but they don’t always correlate with higher productivity.

1. 🇲🇽 Mexico

Mexico consistently ranks at the top when it comes to annual working hours.

• Average weekly hours: ~42.4

• Work culture: Long hours with short breaks; unpaid overtime is common

• Key challenge: Low wages and limited labor protections push workers to extend hours

2. 🇨🇷 Costa Rica

Costa Rica follows closely behind Mexico, with high average working hours, especially in the service and agriculture sectors. 

• Average weekly hours: ~41.3

• High informal employment: Many work outside regulated sectors

• Economic pressure: Low social mobility encourages longer work weeks

3. 🇨🇴 Colombia

The labor market of Colombia is marked by long workdays and an ever-growing gig economy.

• Average weekly hours: ~41.1

• Informal labor: Widespread lack of worker protections

• Urban vs. rural gap: Rural populations often exceed standard work hours

4. 🇰🇷 South Korea

While some recent reforms have aimed to reduce hours, South Korea still has a deeply rooted culture of overwork.

• Average weekly hours: ~40.5

• Cultural norm: "Presenteeism" and workaholic culture remain prevalent

• Recent reforms: Weekly hours capped at 52, but enforcement varies

5. 🇨🇱 Chile

Chile ranks high in work hours despite being a relatively stable economy in Latin America.

• Average weekly hours: ~40.3

• Work norms: Long days, particularly in urban areas

• Social inequality: Many take multiple jobs to sustain living standards

6. 🇮🇳 India

India’s vast and diverse labor market includes both tech workers and informal day laborers.

• Average weekly hours: ~48.0 (varies widely by sector)

• Gig economy growth: Encourages longer, often unregulated hours

• Cultural norm: Long hours are often equated with commitment and productivity

7. 🇹🇷 Turkey

Compared to many European countries, Turkey has relatively long working hours.

• Average weekly hours: ~44.3

• Labor rights enforcement: Inconsistent across sectors and regions

• Strong employer expectations: Particularly high in urban corporate environments

8. 🇿🇦 South Africa

The complex economy of South Africa features both highly regulated industries as well as informal employment.

• Average weekly hours: ~43.0

• Job insecurity: Pushes people to accept long work hours

• High unemployment: Discourages workers from challenging excessive demands

9. 🇵🇭 Philippines

The Philippines combines long local work hours with the rise of remote offshore jobs.

• Average weekly hours: ~42.6

• Overseas employment: OFWs often face intense, extended work schedules

• Call center boom: 24/7 shifts are common due to time zone differences

10. 🇹🇭 Thailand

Thailand’s workforce includes a large number of informal and rural laborers.

• Average weekly hours: ~42.2

• Tourism and agriculture: Often require long, seasonal workdays

• Labor protections: Generally weak outside major cities

11. 🇲🇾 Malaysia

Particularly in the manufacturing and service sectors, Malaysia sees a high average of working hours.

• Average weekly hours: ~41.7

• Government reforms: Ongoing but unevenly implemented

• Overtime culture: Especially expected in corporate and industrial sectors

12. 🇧🇷 Brazil

Driven by economic volatility and general urban labor demands, Brazil is alsı among the countries that have the highest rates when it comes to working hours.

• Average weekly hours: ~40.2

• Informal work: Affects millions, often leading to longer hours without benefits

• Urban sprawl: Long commutes further extend the workday

13. 🇯🇵 Japan

Japan has a famous reputation for its intense work culture, however is starting to slowly reform its approach to working hours.

• Average weekly hours: ~38.9

• Karoshi (death by overwork): Still a notable social issue

• Recent shifts: Flexibility and mental health awareness are on the rise

14. 🇮🇩 Indonesia

Indonesia’s economy depends heavily on labor-intensive sectors like agriculture, retail and textiles.

• Average weekly hours: ~41.9

• Labor-intensive economy: Agriculture, retail, and textiles dominate employment

• Low wages: Often push workers to extend hours to meet basic needs

• Worker protections: Still developing, especially in rural and informal sectors

15. 🇨🇳 China

Despite the rapid modernization attempts, work hours in China remain high across factories and white-collar sectors.

• Average weekly hours: ~46.0

• "996" culture: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 6 days a week remains common in tech and startups

• Changing tides: Younger workers increasingly resist long-hour expectations

• Sector disparity: Factory work and office jobs both tend to involve extended hours

Why Do These Countries Work the Most?

The reason some countries consistently rank at the top in terms of working hours goes beyond individual work ethic. A combination of economic pressures, cultural expectations, and limited labor protections contributes to these extended work weeks.

Let’s take a closer look at the core factors that shape national work hour averages:

Economic Factors 

In countries withlow wages or high living costs, people often need to work longer hours simply to survive.

Many of the top 15 countries also have large informal economies, where workers are not paid hourly and have no legal limits on work hours.

Key drivers include:

• Low hourly wages: People work more to earn enough

• Lack of social safety nets: Limited government support systems

• Labor-intensive industries: Agriculture, retail, and manufacturing dominate

Cultural Norms 

Cultural attitudes toward work deeply influence how many hours people commit to their jobs. In some societies, overworking is seen as a sign of dedication, loyalty, or success.

Common cultural drivers:

• Workplace hierarchy: Expectations set from the top

• Honor and loyalty systems: Especially in East Asian countries

• Social pressure to “show up”: Even without productivity, presence matters

Weak Labor Regulations 

In countries with limited labor law enforcement, employers can impose long hours without accountability. This is especially prevalent in informal labor markets, which often fall outside legal oversight.

Contributing factors:

• Low union presence: Less collective bargaining power

• Insufficient oversight: Weak inspection and enforcement

• Legal loopholes: Or absence of hour-related protections

Factor Type	Example Countries	Key Impacts on Work Hours
Economic Pressures	India, Mexico, Brazil	Low wages, informal work
Cultural Norms	Japan, South Korea	Social expectations, presenteeism
Weak Regulations	Indonesia, Colombia	Lack of protections, unregulated labor

Countries With the Shortest Work Weeks (2025)

On the flip side of the coin, several developed countries have successfully reduced average work hours without sacrificing productivity. These nations often offer higher wages, better labor laws and strong social programs that are able to reduce the pressure to overwork.

The leading countries in work-life balance in 2025:

These listed nations show that shorter work hours do not necessarily mean lower output. Instead, employees tend to be more engaged, creative and loyal when provided with flexibility and rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country works the most hours per week?

Mexico currently holds the record for the longest average work week among OECD nations, with workers averaging over 42 hours per week. Informal labor and low wages push many workers to exceed standard work hours.

Why do countries like Mexico and South Korea work so much?

Several factors contribute, including economic pressure, cultural norms, and weak enforcement of labor laws in certain sectors

Does working more lead to better results?

Not necessarily. Research shows that after a certain point, productivity declines sharply with longer hours. Countries like Germany and the Netherlands, which work fewer hours, often outperform in productivity metrics.

What’s the average workweek in the U.S.?

As of 2025, the average American workweek is approximately 34.5 hours, though this can vary based on sector and employment type. Full-time salaried workers often work longer than hourly employees.