In the race to get ahead and stay on top, countries the world over are keeping themselves neck-deep in work. Wonder who has succeeded in leaving everyone behind in this rat race. Workspirited takes a look at the top ten countries that put in all that they have, to make things work.
Other end of the scale…
According to a 2012 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Germans work the fewest hours annually (1,330), followed by the Dutch (1,336) and the French (1,392).
With work stress that catches up with most of us, we would rather like to work a day less. It is but natural for the body and mind to vent out its frustration by decreasing the level of immunity. Although most of us would love a regular 9-5 job, there are countries around the world that clock in more hours than needed.
Going by the statistics given by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Mexicans work the hardest, followed by Greece and Chile. USA comes in at number 11 in the list, clocking an average of 1,790 annual hours.
While one cannot guarantee an equally high level of productivity in each of these countries mentioned below, it surely helps to know that the statistics are purely based on the number of hours worked by an individual. Funnily enough, the OECD includes data only from developed countries, hence neglecting the developing nations who very well could be clocking in more hours than the average Mexican put together. Shifting our focus back to the OECD nations, let’s take a look at the sincere workers of the world.
* All statistics given here are as given by the OECD.StatExtracts
Mexico
Average Annual Working Hours: 2,226
Take a bow Mexico. With the old Mexican saying of “North Americans live to work, but Mexicans work to live!” holding true for this country, it wouldn’t be wrong saying they deserve a good round of applause. According to statistics, the average working hours per individual boils down to an escalating 10 hours per day. This includes both paid and unpaid working hours.
Greece
Average Annual Working Hours: 2,034
The workhorse of Europe, Greece clocks in more hours as compared to other European nations. Thanks to a majority of Greeks being self-employed, the number of hours put in by each individual is automatically higher than those employed as full-time salaried workers. As per statistics, the average Greek works 10% more than an average German.
Chile
Average Annual Working Hours: 2,029
Opening its doors to opportunities, Chile clocks in an average of 45 working hours per week. While work productivity cannot be compared to other countries, the Chileans are known to clock in a few extra hours every day to meet deadlines. It is safe to assume that persistence is what the Chileans love and do the best.
Russian Federation
Average Annual Working Hours: 1,982
The Russian Labor law requires a Russian to clock in minimum 8 hours per day thus, making a 40 hour week. Working overtime here, calls for written approval by the employee plus compensation. With all the benefits of working extra time coming into the picture, the average worker does not mind clocking in extra hours, sometimes doing a 6-day week and even working on Sundays when everyone else would be enjoying their siesta.
Poland
Average Annual Working Hours: 1,929
The average weekly working hours for a self-employed Polish amounts to 56 hours. While this seems the norm for every self-employed, about 31% working Polish claimed that they work 7 days a week with no fixed start and finish times. Recently, the Labor Code has done away with the guaranteed 8-hour day, allowing the Pols to have flexible work timings, which could obviously spell good and bad news in one go.
Israel
Average Annual Working Hours: 1,910
The Israelis for one, consider their work as a commitment, which is why clocking extra hours seems to be the norm here. Competitive spirit is what is acknowledged in Israel. And the rule for survival is as simple as putting in those extra hours. The benefit after doing this, you can get away with shorter work hours after creating a lasting first impression.
Estonia
Average Annual Working Hours: 1,889
Estonia, which clocks in roughly around 8 hours and 36 minutes is one among the many European Nations that clocks in more than the average working hours given by the OECD. While the normal working schedule calls for 8 hours, the duration of one shift should not exceed 12 hours. The employer and employee can however agree upon a longer working week.
Hungary
Average Annual Working Hours: 1,888
Full-time work in Hungary involves an eight-hour schedule which clocks in a 40 hour week. Longer working hours though employed cannot exceed 12 hours a day.
Turkey
Average Annual Working Hours: 1,855
While a normal working week clocks in at 40 hours, anyone working for 45 hours gets compensated with 1.5 times the hourly wage. Around 46% employees claim to work overtime, to avail of the benefits of course.
Czech Republic
Average Annual Working Hours: 1,800
On an average the Czechs work 41.7 hours a week, while some full-time workers clock in 42.7 hours per week. This average is slightly higher than the standards set by the European Union.
Among the other hardworking countries that haven’t made it to this list are Japan that clocks in an average of 1,745 annual working hours and Canada that clocks in 1,710 average annual working hours. Key to making it here, clock in more hours than your other counterparts around the world.