Weekly Work Hour Rankings: Countries with the Shortest Workweeks

Working Hours Around Europe: A Comparative Analysis

Not all countries have the same working hours, with the recent trend of the four-day workweek influencing various nations to adapt their labor regulations.
According to the latest Eurostat data for 2022, Italy does not rank among the countries with the fewest hours worked, nor among the most industrious, as it falls below the EU average of 36.4 weekly hours.

Eurostat’s survey considers average weekly working hours for all full-time and part-time workers aged between 20 and 64, revealing a shift towards a more favorable work-life balance across Europe.
This trend has led to the adoption of flexible employment methods, including hybrid work models, and goal-oriented tasks, which have contributed to a decrease in average work hours—by about 24 minutes compared to pre-pandemic levels.

This downward trend could continue, especially if the four-day workweek becomes a common practice, supported by technological advancements that maintain productivity even with reduced working hours.
Several Italian companies are experimenting with such systems, although there is currently no national regulation for a shorter workweek or flexible hours.

Where Do People Work the Least and the Most?

The average working hours in Europe for 2022 stand at 36.4 hours per week (41.3 hours for full-time employees).
Italy reports an average of 36.2 hours, only 20 minutes less than the EU average.
The Netherlands leads the chart with the fewest hours at 32.4 per week, followed by Austria at 33.7 hours and Norway at 34.1.
Denmark and Germany come next with 34.6 hours.

Conversely, the Balkan region witnesses a longer working trend, particularly in Turkey, where workers clock 42.9 hours weekly (data from 2020).
Montenegro and Serbia follow closely with 42.8 and 42.3 hours, respectively.
This pattern highlights that countries with weaker economies and less technological advancement tend to have longer working hours to achieve sufficient productivity levels and income.

Gender Disparities in Working Hours

Eurostat also sheds light on the gender gap in working hours.
On average, men in Europe work 38.7 hours per week, while women only log 33.6 hours.
This discrepancy is largely due to women’s challenges in balancing traditional work schedules with family responsibilities, leading many to opt for part-time roles at lower pay.

In Italy, men average 39 weekly hours compared to 32.2 hours for women.
Turkey again claims the top spot for male workers, averaging 44.8 hours, while the Netherlands shows the least at 36.4 hours.
For women, Montenegro leads with 41.7 hours worked weekly, and the Netherlands has the fewest at 27.9 hours— a statistic that reflects a higher incidence of part-time employment.