Who Works the Hardest in Europe? A Closer Look at Working Hours Across the Region
Who works the hardest in Europe – Recent statistics from Eurostat have unveiled a striking variation in the amount of time Europeans dedicate to their jobs. According to the most recent data, the average weekly working hours for individuals aged 20 to 64 in the European Union stands at 35.9 hours. This figure encompasses both full-time and part-time workers across all primary employment sectors. However, the numbers tell a different story when looking at individual countries, revealing a clear divide in how work is structured and managed across the continent.
Europe’s Longest and Shortest Working Weeks
At the extremes of this spectrum, the Netherlands leads with the shortest average weekly working hours in Europe, reported at 31.9 hours. This is attributed in part to the country’s high proportion of part-time employment, which accounts for nearly 43% of total jobs. In contrast, Greece records the highest hours at 39.6 per week, followed closely by North Macedonia (39.5 hours) and Bulgaria (38.7 hours). When EU candidate countries and EFTA members are factored in, Turkey emerges as the only nation with an average of 42.4 hours, placing it above the EU’s 35.9-hour benchmark. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia also exceed the 40-hour mark, with averages of 40.9 and 40.6 hours respectively.
These discrepancies raise questions about the underlying reasons for such variations. For instance, why do some countries see workers logging more hours than others? The data suggests that productivity levels and the balance of power between employers and employees may play a role. Professor David Spencer of the University of Leeds explained that workers in Europe typically don’t have the freedom to decide their own schedules. Instead, they operate under standard frameworks set by employers, which can influence the total hours spent on work.
“In no country do workers ‘choose’ the hours they work: rather, they work a ‘normal’ set of hours (the latter being influenced by employers). Lower productivity may explain the longer hours in the above countries plus the lack of worker power,” Spencer told Euronews Business.
Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, the shift toward part-time employment has been a significant factor in reducing the overall workload. Jorge Cabrita, a senior research manager at Eurofound, pointed to the impact of working-time setting regimes as a key element in explaining these differences. He noted that the way hours are determined can vary greatly, with some nations enforcing stricter limits while others allow more flexibility.
“Differences in working-time setting regimes may also help explain why some countries record longer working hours than others,” Cabrita said.
The Netherlands, for example, has one of the shortest average collectively agreed working weeks in the bloc. This is partly due to its high rate of part-time workers, who often work fewer hours and contribute to a lower overall average. However, even among part-time employees, full-time workers in the Netherlands still average around 40 hours per week, which is notably less than the EU’s average. Germany, Norway, and Denmark follow the Netherlands in this category, with average weekly hours of 33.9, 34.3, and 34.7 respectively. These countries not only have shorter workweeks but also maintain a structure that supports a balance between labor and leisure.
Looking at the broader EU context, several nations report average working hours below 35. These include Austria (34.0 hours), Belgium (34.3 hours), and Finland (34.7 hours). In these seven countries, the average workday is under seven hours in a five-day week, which is a stark contrast to the longer hours observed in the Balkan region. Germany, despite being one of the EU’s largest economies, has the shortest working week among the four biggest nations, with workers averaging 33.9 hours. This is 1.7 hours less than the French average of 35.6, and significantly shorter than Spain’s 36.3 hours or Italy’s 36.1 hours. The gap between Germany and these two countries is more than two hours per week, underscoring the structural differences in how labor is organized across the continent.
Factors Behind the Disparities
Experts emphasize that multiple factors contribute to these differences. Cabrita highlighted the role of working-time regimes, employment structures, and economic frameworks. In countries where trade unions and collective bargaining are strong, workers tend to negotiate for shorter hours and better conditions. This is particularly evident in Germany, where the effectiveness of unions has helped maintain a relatively shorter workweek. Conversely, nations with weaker labor organizations often see longer hours and less control over work schedules.
“Shorter working hours in Germany, for example, partly reflect the strength of unions and the positive effect of collective bargaining,” Spencer said.
Employment structure also plays a crucial role. Cabrita noted that the share of part-time workers in a country’s workforce directly correlates with the average hours worked. Countries like the Netherlands, where part-time employment is widespread, benefit from lower overall hours, even as full-time workers still face a standard 40-hour week. In contrast, regions with a higher concentration of full-time employment, such as Greece and Turkey, see workers logging more time. The self-employed, who often have greater autonomy over their schedules, also tend to work longer hours than employees, especially when they manage their own teams or businesses.
Additionally, the economic composition of a country influences working hours. Sectors that require extensive labor, such as manufacturing or agriculture, may push for longer hours to maximize output. On the other hand, service-based economies, which often value work-life balance, may support shorter schedules. This dynamic is reflected in the data, where nations with a higher proportion of service jobs and stronger labor protections report lower average hours.
Regional Trends and Broader Implications
There is a noticeable trend of shorter workweeks in Northern and Western Europe compared to their Eastern and Central counterparts. This pattern is consistent with the data, as countries like Austria, Belgium, and Finland all fall into the lower-hour category. Meanwhile, the Balkan region, which includes Greece, Turkey, and other neighboring states, dominates the list of countries with the longest working weeks. This is not only due to traditional industries but also the structural challenges these nations face in terms of productivity and labor market organization.
Cabrita further explained that stronger collective bargaining is linked to reduced overtime and improved compliance with labor regulations. In countries where unions are active, workers are more likely to secure better terms, such as flexible hours or time off. This contrasts sharply with regions where workers have limited influence, leading to extended working times. The data also suggests that the balance between economic growth and worker well-being varies significantly, with some nations prioritizing productivity at the expense of leisure time.
Ultimately, the variation in working hours across Europe reflects a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and economic factors. While the Netherlands offers a model of shorter hours through part-time employment and strong labor protections, countries like Greece and Turkey continue to report longer workweeks, possibly due to lower productivity and less worker autonomy. As the EU continues to evolve, understanding these differences could inform policies aimed at promoting a more equitable distribution of work and improving quality of life across all member states.
