Mexicans work hours are longest than anyone else, while Germans get the least working hours. Data collected from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) which has 35 members included for the developed countries and some developing nations, found that Mexicans spend 2255 hours at work each year. This is equivalent of nearly 43 hours per week. In Europe, Greeks have the longest working hours and they work at an average of 2035 hours yearly. Germans workers get the least working hours and work for 1363 hours per year. This is 892 hours less than the Mexicans. The US workers are in the middle of both extremes and work for 1783 hours yearly.
The work hours depends on the different cultural attitudes and socio-economic factors of every region. In Mexico, the long-standing fears of unemployment with lax labor laws means that at least 48-hour workweek will be enforced.
The long working hours in South Korea are to boost the economic growth of their country. However, as the concerns about social problems, low birth rate and slowing down of productivity rose, the president Moon Jae-in reduced the working hours in the country to give workers the right to rest.
In Japan, there is a term to describe death by overwork called ‘karoshi.’ The average Japanese worker spends 1713 hours yearly in their work which is below the average OECD. This comes as a surprise in light of the country’s reputation for having a workaholic culture which led the government to impose a law on overtime work. Despite having the shortest working hours among all OECD countries, Germany still manages to maintain high productivity levels. The German workers are reported to be 27% more productive than the British counterparts. The Dutch, French, and Danes also work less than 1500 hours each year. There are only 2% of Danish employers who enjoy the best work-life balance.