Top 7 countries with longest working hours

With time, while technological advances and relentless innovations have empowered us, the demand to put in effort has substantially increased as well. And although modernity does come with several perks, it has brought us some cons as well.

Although work-life balance, which refers to finding a harmonious equilibrium between professional and personal life, where both areas are given adequate attention and time, is one of the key aspects of striking a harmonious balance between hard work and recreational activities, while taking care of physical and mental health – it is often overlooked.

While the ILO Declaration of Philadelphia emphasises the right to pursue well-being and spiritual growth, working hours vary drastically across the globe.

Here are the top 7 countries with which have the longest working hours (Sourced from Wages and Working Time Statistics (COND) Database, ILOSTAT):

Leading the list, Bhutan's workforce averages 54.4 hours per week. Despite its small population, over 61% of employed individuals in Bhutan work 49 hours or more weekly, reflecting a strong work ethic and economic pressures.

The UAE follows closely with an average of 50.9 hours per week. Approximately 39% of employees in the UAE work 49 hours or more weekly, driven by a competitive job market and a culture emphasizing productivity.

In Lesotho, workers average 50.4 hours per week, with 36% working extended hours. This trend is influenced by economic factors and the need to sustain livelihoods in a developing nation.

Congo reports an average of 48.6 working hours per week, with 45% of the workforce engaged in long hours. Economic challenges and limited employment opportunities contribute to this extended workweek.

Qatar's workforce averages 48 hours per week, with 29% working 49 hours or more. The country's rapid economic development and reliance on expatriate labor influence these working patterns.

In Liberia, employees work an average of 47.7 hours per week, with 27% working extended hours. Economic constraints and the necessity to earn a livelihood lead to longer workweeks.

Mauritania's workforce averages 47.6 hours per week, with 46% working 49 hours or more. Economic factors and limited job opportunities contribute to these extended working hours.