New Zealand ranks first for work-life balance in 2026, scoring 86.87 out of 100 on Remote’s Global Life-Work Balance Index. The same study placed the United States 59th out of 60 countries. This post ranks the leading countries by composite work-life balance score, breaks down average working hours, and shows which factors separate the top performers from the rest.
Countries With Best Work-Life Balance: TL;DR
New Zealand leads the 2026 work-life balance ranking at 86.87, its third year in first place.
Seven of the top 10 countries with the best work-life balance are in Europe.
Germany records the shortest working year in the OECD at about 1,340 hours.
The United States sits 59th of 60, scoring 31.17.
New Zealand gives workers 32 days of statutory annual leave and 26 weeks of maternity leave at full pay.
Remote’s index scored the world’s 60 largest economies on annual leave, sick pay, maternity benefits, minimum wage, healthcare, safety, happiness, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and average working hours. New Zealand, Ireland, and Belgium took the top three spots. The Nordic countries and Germany filled most of the rest of the top 10. For people weighing a move or rethinking their hours, remote work routines increasingly shape that balance as much as where someone lives.
Which Country Has The Best Work-Life Balance In 2026?
New Zealand has the best work-life balance, with an index score of 86.87. It improved by almost six points from 2024, helped by a higher minimum wage of $16.42 per hour. Workers there average 33 hours per week and report a happiness score of 6.95 out of 10. Ireland follows at 81.17, the highest-ranked European country.
| Rank | Country | Index Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 86.87 |
| 2 | Ireland | 81.17 |
| 3 | Belgium | 75.91 |
| 4 | Germany | 74.65 |
| 5 | Norway | 74.20 |
| 6 | Denmark | 73.76 |
| 7 | Canada | 73.46 |
| 8 | Australia | 72.10 |
| 9 | Spain | 71.94 |
| 10 | Finland | 70.86 |
Source: Remote Global Life-Work Balance Index 2025
Countries With Best Work-Life Balance, Ranked (Top 20)
The top 20 spans three continents, but Europe dominates. The United Kingdom (69.68) and Netherlands (68.97) rank just outside the top 10. Argentina, at 14th with 68.35, is the highest-placed South American country.
| Rank | Country | Index Score |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | United Kingdom | 69.68 |
| 12 | Netherlands | 68.97 |
| 13 | Portugal | 68.65 |
| 14 | Argentina | 68.35 |
| 15 | Austria | 68.01 |
| 16 | France | 67.62 |
| 17 | Poland | 65.33 |
| 18 | Hungary | 63.38 |
| 19 | Czech Republic | 63.06 |
| 20 | Sweden | 62.92 |
Source: Remote Global Life-Work Balance Index 2025
The high ranking of countries like the Netherlands tracks with shorter hours. People there work the fewest weekly hours in the EU, and focused work habits let many cut their week without losing output.
How Many Hours Do People Work By Country?
Average annual hours vary widely across the OECD. Germany records the fewest at roughly 1,340 hours, followed by Denmark. Mexico tops the list at 2,207 hours, and Costa Rica reaches 2,171. The OECD average sat at 1,683 hours in 2023.
| Country | Avg. Annual Hours |
|---|---|
| Germany | 1,340 |
| France | 1,490 |
| OECD average | 1,683 |
| United States | 1,976 |
| Chile | 1,953 |
| Costa Rica | 2,171 |
| Mexico | 2,207 |
Source: OECD and ILO, 2023–2024
Weekly Hours Across The EU
Eurostat put the average EU working week at 36.0 hours in 2024. The Netherlands recorded the shortest at 32.1 hours. Greece logged the longest at 39.8 hours. Belgian workers, third on the balance index, average 34.1 hours per week.
What Drives A High Work-Life Balance Score?
Leave, pay, and healthcare separate the top countries from the rest. New Zealand pairs 32 days of paid leave with universal healthcare and 26 weeks of fully paid maternity leave. Germany climbed into the top five after raising statutory sick pay. The Nordic countries scored well on parental leave despite having no national minimum wage.
| Country | Annual Leave (days) | Maternity Leave | Avg. Hours/Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 32 | 26 weeks at full pay | 33.0 |
| Finland | 36 | 15 weeks at 80% | 33.8 |
| Belgium | 20+ | High payment rate | 34.1 |
Source: Remote Global Life-Work Balance Index 2025
Hours and leave set the frame, but daily setup matters too. Protecting breaks during the day and a workspace built for a healthy home office both feed into how rested workers feel.
Where Does The US Rank For Work-Life Balance?
The United States ranks 59th of 60, with a score of 31.17. Its position fell on declining public safety and LGBTQ+ inclusion scores. American workers also log about 1,976 hours a year, well above the OECD average. The country has no federal statutory paid leave requirement.
For US workers, the gap often comes down to personal systems. Clear routines and a well-organized desk setup help offset long hours where policy does not.
FAQs
Which country has the best work-life balance in 2026?
New Zealand has the best work-life balance, scoring 86.87 out of 100 on Remote’s Global Life-Work Balance Index. It holds the top spot for the third year running, with strong marks on annual leave, safety, and happiness.
How many of the top 10 countries are in Europe?
Seven of the top 10 countries for work-life balance are in Europe. Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Spain, and Finland all rank in the top 10, alongside New Zealand, Canada, and Australia.
Which country works the fewest hours?
Germany records the fewest average annual working hours in the OECD, at roughly 1,340 hours. Denmark ranks second. By weekly hours, the Netherlands works the least in the EU at 32.1 hours.
Where does the United States rank for work-life balance?
The United States ranks 59th out of 60 countries, scoring 31.17. Low public safety and inclusion scores, plus about 1,976 working hours a year and no federal paid leave mandate, weigh down its position.
What factors does the work-life balance index measure?
Remote’s index scores countries on statutory annual leave, sick pay, paid maternity leave, minimum wage, healthcare, public happiness, average working hours, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and safety. Each of the 60 largest economies receives a score out of 100.
Sources
https://remote.com/resources/research/global-life-work-balance-index
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-the-best-countries-for-work-life-balance-in-2025/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/263906/annual-working-hours-per-worker-in-oecd-countries/
https://www.newsweek.com/20-best-countries-work-life-balace-2096102
