“Feeling burned out? You’re not alone. As the world grapples with the demands of modern work, the Remote’s 2025 Work-Life Balance List shines a spotlight on the companies, and countries that are putting employee well-being first. The results might surprise you.”
Methodology, and Criteria
Remote analyzed the top 60 GDP countries to find which offers employees the best life-work balance globally.
The top 60 GDP countries were selected as a global sample.
Specifically, the study reviewed the following indicators:
- Statutory annual leave (total days of paid leave, including public holidays)*
- Minimum statutory sick pay (percent of wage, or a flat amount)*
- Statutory maternity leave (weeks paid)*
- Statutory maternity leave payment rate (percent of wage)*
- Minimum wage (USD per hour)*
- Healthcare status
- Happiness index score (1-10, 10 being highest)
- Average hours per week per employed person
- The Legal Index (0–100) reflects the level of legal rights, and freedoms granted to LGBTQ+ individuals, with 100 being the highest possible score. The Public Opinion Index (0–100) measures how accepting, and supportive the general public is toward LGBTQ+ people in each region.
- Safety: Global Peace Index (1-4, lower is better)
Top Performers on Work-Life Balance List
Each of the world’s top 60 GDP nations was assigned an overall ‘life-work balance score’ out of 100 based on an assessment of important work-related factors such as statutory annual leave, access to healthcare, public safety, and average hours worked per week.
New Zealand leads the way, topping the rankings for a third year in a row, New Zealand cements its position as the country with the best life-work balance in 2025, improving its score by more than six points
Europe continues to dominate, despite an Oceanian nation coming out on top, Europe is the leading continent for life-work balance overall, with seven European countries appearing in the top ten. Ireland, Belgium, Germany, and Norway ranking # top 5, Denmark ranking #6 ,Spain ranking #9, and Finland ranking #10.Norway places fifth this year, making it the top-performing Nordic country ahead of Denmark, and Finland, the rise is in part due to an extension of parental leave policies.
Click here to get the full Work-Life balance list from Remote .
Key Trends, and Finding of Work-Life Balance List
Finland is the world’s happiest country.
Finland tops the happiness index again in 2025, with Nordic, and Scandinavian countries faring particularly well. Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Norway round out the top five happiest countries.
The Netherlands has the shortest working week.
With an average of 30.5 hours, the Netherlands has the shortest average work week. Workers in Iraq, and Ethiopia also enjoy ample free time, while the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have the longest working weeks.
Austria, and Ireland are the safest countries.
Analyzing data from the Global Peace Index, Austria, and Ireland are the safest nations included in the study. New Zealand (the #1 country overall), Singapore, and Switzerland are also considered very safe to live, and work in.
The United States falls further behind.
With public safety, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity decreasing, the United States now has the second-worst life-work balance, according to the data. The U.S. falls to 59th out of 60, having placed 55th last year, and 53rd in 2023.
The UK bounces back.
After dropping from eighth to 15th in 2024, an increase of 4.56 points sees the UK sit just outside the top ten in 2025. The improvement is down to an increase in minimum wage combined with a reduction in hours worked per week.
Expert commentary
“By promoting life-work balance, we acknowledge that work is a means to support life, and not its defining purpose. At Remote, our Global Life-Work Balance study is more than just a comparative table. It’s a reflection of our core belief that people perform their best when they’re trusted to live fully outside of work, not just within it. We advocate for life-work balance because flexibility, and wellbeing are more than just perks. Our mission is to build a future where global talent thrives not just professionally, but personally too.” — Barbara Matthews, Chief People Officer
“Ultimately, the 2025 Work-Life Balance List highlights a simple truth: a balanced life is a better life. By prioritizing our well-being, we not only enrich our own lives, but also contribute to a more productive, and prosperous society. Let’s make that balance a reality.”
For more such informative articles, stay tuned at The World Times.
