A recent study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has revealed what the countries the world’s most active labour markets. This analysis, part of the OECD Employment Outlook 2023 report, assessed working hours in the organisation’s 38 member countries, providing a clear view of global work trends.
Mexico leads the list of countries with the most hours annual work hours, with an impressive average of 2,286 hours. This high number reflects a work culture where long hours are common and where work-life balance can be difficult to achieve.
In second place is Costa Rica, with an average of 2,149 hours annual labor costs. Like Mexico, Costa Rica shows a strong dedication to work, which may be influenced by economic and cultural factors that emphasize productivity and work commitment.
Chile ranks third in this ranking of countrieswith an average of 1,963 hours of work per year. However, this statistic could change in the near future due to the implementation of the recent ’40-hour law’, which seeks to reduce the working day, seeking to improve the quality of life of Chilean workers.
South Korea and Greece complete the top 5 of the countries with longer working hours. South Korea reports an average of 1,901 hours per year, while Greece logs 1,886 hours. Both countries have economies where competitiveness and hard work are valued, which is reflected in long working hours. It is interesting to note that the European powers are at the opposite end of the spectrum. France and Germany, for example, have averages of 1,511 and 1,341 hours per year, respectively.
