Achieving the perfect work-life balance is a challenge, especially in countries like India, where the rat race accelerates every day. Many people are overwhelmed with the stress of work, which impacts their overall health. There are, however, countries across the globe where, alongside working hard, you can take advantage of a high level of well-being benefits. Below are 10 countries where work-life balance is excellent, allowing you to experience the best of both worlds at the same time.
1. Brazil
In the world, Brazil is famous for providing the most paid leave. Full-time workers are entitled to an unusually high 41 paid days off per year, however. Of these, there are 30 days for leisure time, the worker’s chosen time, and 11 days for federal holidays. Just imagine being able to relax on the beach—there’s no shortage of paid time off!
2. Bulgaria
Bulgaria offers incredible maternity leave benefits. Women in this country are entitled to up to 410 days of paid maternity leave at 90 of their wages, with the minimum 45 days for which payment must be made prior to delivery. Even more impressively, parents can take a second year of paid parental leave at minimum salary, with the option for fathers or grandparents to take the second year of leave.
3. Denmark
Denmark is the OECD’s top-ranked country from the perspective of work-life balance. Workers are given 52 workweeks of paid maternity leave, 34 workweeks paid vacation and no worker works over 50 workweeks in a week for this company. This is a country in which work is prized and there is a strong emphasis on personal time.
4. Finland
Finland offers a maximum of 40 paid days off each year. Of these, 30 days are mandated, with the additional 10 days considered public holidays. In addition, the work-life balance is highly satisfactory in the country, where only 0.04% of employees work >50 h/wk on average. Finland sets a great example for a healthy balance between work and personal time.
5. France
In France, workers benefit from a substantial 40 paid vacation days per year (i.e., mandatory 30 days and public holiday 10 days). French workers spend 200 less work hours per year than workers in the other OECD countries. It should be of little surprise that France is a place with a relaxed work culture combined with high output.
6. Germany
Workweek in Germany is only 27.8 h, the lowest level in OECD member countries. This shorter workweek doesn’t affect their performance—Germans maintain a high standard of living while having more time for leisure. The country offers, in addition, extensive vacation time and various other work-life balance benefits, etc.
7. Lithuania
Lithuania (as of the writing) provides a maximum of 41 calendar days of paid leave, the same top record as Brazil. Although 28 days are obligatory, the remaining 13 days are public holidays. The State also provides a highly favorable leave for mothers, covering one year of leave with full salary, or up to two years with reduced salary.
8. Norway
Norway leads the way with generous parental leave benefits. Parents can take up to 47 weeks of paid leave at full salary or 57 weeks at 80% salary. In addition, Norway also allows a worker to take 35 paid vacation days a year, thus providing workers with enough time to be refreshed. The country has both a good economy and a really good work-life balance.
9. Sweden
Sweden is renowned for its world-leading parental leave benefits. Laborers in this workplace have the right to 480 days, or 16 months, of paid parental leave, with 60 days allotted exclusively to fathers. These 480 days may be spread out over the first 8 years of life (e.g. On top of this, Sweden provides 36 days of paid leave per year.
10. Netherlands
The Netherlands is another country that champions work-life balance. Dutch, workers work only 27.6 hr per week and they have 28 days paid leave per year. Moreover, employees are entitled to 16 weeks of pay maternity leave at 100% wage, as well as tax credits for further 26 weeks of statutory unpaid leave where a necessity arises.
These countries set a high standard for creating a healthy and balanced work environment. If you’re looking to move and achieve a better work-life balance, these places might be just what you need!