A fair chunk of an employee’s year is spent at work, but which country is clocking up the most hours? The results may surprise you
If you’ve ever thought you spend far too much of the year at work, spare a thought for those employed in Mexico. According to the OECD Better Life Index, the average Mexican works more hours per year than any other OECD country, clocking up 2,250 hours annually. That’s 474 hours more than the OECD average of 1,776.
So how does the US compare? Well against Mexico we’re not even close: Americans clock up 1,787 hours at work a year, although that's still more than the OECD average. However, we are above the OECD average for very long hours worked, with 11% putting in longer hours at work. That’s more than the OECD average of 9%, although that figure pales in comparison to Turkey who have the highest proportion at 46%.
But how do other countries fair?
Mexico
Mexican work the most hours per year out of all those in the OECD with 2,250 hours spent working . Nearly 29% of employees work very long hours, which is also one of the highest levels in the OECD.
Turkey
Employees in Turkey work 1,855 hours annually, which is above the average. However, when it comes to long hours worked it has by far the highest rate in the OECD at 46%.
Australia
Those in Australia put in slightly fewer hours at work that the OECD average at 1,693 hours annually. About 14% of employees work very long hours.
Canada
Canadians put in more hours annually than Australians but lag behind New Zealand and the United States. On average those in Canada work 1,702 hours a year. There also less likely to work very long hours at only 4% of the population.
United Kingdom
Those in the United Kingdom not only work less hours annually than the OECD average they also work less than those in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the US. Workers there work 1,625 hours a year but some 12% of employees work very long hours – which is higher than the OECD average.
France
The French work 300 hours less than the OECD average, spending only 1,476 hours a year at work. Additionally nine per cent of employees work very long hours which is the OECD average.
Hours worked annually in OECD countries
Mexico: 2,250
Korea: 2,090
Greece: 2,034
Chile: 2,029
Russian Federation: 1,982
Poland: 1,929
Israel: 1,910
Estonia: 1,889
Hungary: 1,888
Turkey: 1,855
Czech Republic: 1,800
United States: 1,787
Slovak Republic: 1,785
New Zealand: 1,762
Italy: 1,752
Japan: 1,745
Iceland: 1,706
Canada: 1,702
Austria: 1,699
Australia: 1,693
Portugal: 1,691
Spain: 1,686
Finland: 1,672
Slovenia: 1,640
Switzerland: 1,636
United Kingdom: 1,625
Sweden: 1,621
Luxembourg: 1,609
Belgium: 1,574
Denmark: 1,546
Ireland: 1,529
France: 1,476
Norway: 1,420
Germany: 1,397
Netherlands: 1,381
So how does the US compare? Well against Mexico we’re not even close: Americans clock up 1,787 hours at work a year, although that's still more than the OECD average. However, we are above the OECD average for very long hours worked, with 11% putting in longer hours at work. That’s more than the OECD average of 9%, although that figure pales in comparison to Turkey who have the highest proportion at 46%.
But how do other countries fair?
Mexico
Mexican work the most hours per year out of all those in the OECD with 2,250 hours spent working . Nearly 29% of employees work very long hours, which is also one of the highest levels in the OECD.
Turkey
Employees in Turkey work 1,855 hours annually, which is above the average. However, when it comes to long hours worked it has by far the highest rate in the OECD at 46%.
Australia
Those in Australia put in slightly fewer hours at work that the OECD average at 1,693 hours annually. About 14% of employees work very long hours.
Canada
Canadians put in more hours annually than Australians but lag behind New Zealand and the United States. On average those in Canada work 1,702 hours a year. There also less likely to work very long hours at only 4% of the population.
United Kingdom
Those in the United Kingdom not only work less hours annually than the OECD average they also work less than those in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the US. Workers there work 1,625 hours a year but some 12% of employees work very long hours – which is higher than the OECD average.
France
The French work 300 hours less than the OECD average, spending only 1,476 hours a year at work. Additionally nine per cent of employees work very long hours which is the OECD average.
Hours worked annually in OECD countries
Mexico: 2,250
Korea: 2,090
Greece: 2,034
Chile: 2,029
Russian Federation: 1,982
Poland: 1,929
Israel: 1,910
Estonia: 1,889
Hungary: 1,888
Turkey: 1,855
Czech Republic: 1,800
United States: 1,787
Slovak Republic: 1,785
New Zealand: 1,762
Italy: 1,752
Japan: 1,745
Iceland: 1,706
Canada: 1,702
Austria: 1,699
Australia: 1,693
Portugal: 1,691
Spain: 1,686
Finland: 1,672
Slovenia: 1,640
Switzerland: 1,636
United Kingdom: 1,625
Sweden: 1,621
Luxembourg: 1,609
Belgium: 1,574
Denmark: 1,546
Ireland: 1,529
France: 1,476
Norway: 1,420
Germany: 1,397
Netherlands: 1,381
