Discover the Top 8 Countries with the Best Work-Life Balance in Europe with Roundtrip

What is Work-Life Balance

Finding the right balance between professional duties and personal life, including leisure activities, family, and social interactions, is essential to achieving a healthy lifestyle. Many people struggle to strike this balance in today’s hyperconnected society, resulting in burnout, stress, and overall unhappiness with their life.

According to an OECD survey, employees in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway report the best levels of work-life balance satisfaction in Europe. But, striking a work-life balance may be difficult, especially in countries where long working hours and a high-stress work environment are the norm.

Despite various hurdles, it has been demonstrated that employees who maintain a healthy work-life balance are more productive, have better mental health, and have fewer absenteeism. According to a research conducted by the American Psychological Association, employees who believe they have a good work-life balance are 21% more likely to be engaged at work and 33% more likely to be satisfied with their lives overall.

In the parts that follow, we will look at the top eight European nations with the best work-life balance, underlining what makes these countries unique and how they encourage work-life balance for their residents.

Finding the right balance between professional duties and personal life, including leisure activities, family, and social interactions, is essential to achieving a healthy lifestyle. Image by master1305 on Freepik

Countries shown to have the best work life balance in Europe

Europe is known for its progressive social policies, including robust worker protections and benefits. Therefore, it’s not surprising that many countries in Europe are known for their excellent work-life balance. Here are the top 8 European countries contenders that we found to have the best work-life balance:

• Denmark
• Netherlands
• Spain
• Norway
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Iceland
• Italy

Let’s take a closer look at how each of these 8 countries has developed a better work-life balance for the working class and how these initiatives help improve the overall health of the population.

It’s not surprising that many countries in Europe are known for their excellent work-life balance. Image by benzoix on Freepik

Denmark

Denmark is well-known for having an outstanding work-life balance, owing to its extensive welfare system and social assistance programs that promote employee well-being. With an average workday of 37 hours per week, the country has one of the lowest workweeks in Europe, giving employees more time to pursue hobbies and interests.

Moreover, Denmark has some of the world’s most generous parental leave rules, with new parents receiving up to 52 weeks of paid leave. Danish firms are noted for their workplace flexibility, which includes flexible work hours, part-time work, and remote work alternatives.

Denmark is well-known for having an outstanding work-life balance. Photo: Sergii Figurnyi / Shutterstock.com

The Netherlands

The Netherlands places a high priority on work-life balance and provides numerous perks to its inhabitants to help them achieve it. The short workweek is one of the most important elements leading to a better work-life balance. The Netherlands has one of the shortest workweeks in Europe, with an average of 38 hours a week. This allows employees to devote more time to their interests and hobbies outside of work, resulting in a more meaningful existence.

Generous parental leave rules are another important aspect contributing to work-life balance in the Netherlands. New parents are entitled to up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave, with the option of extending it to 26 weeks at a reduced cost. Without the extra burden of employment, parents can focus on their new family and acclimate to their new duties.

Furthermore, the work culture in the Netherlands promotes employee well-being. The country promotes a healthy work culture by encouraging people to take their full lunch break and leave work on time.

The Netherlands places a high priority on work-life balance and provides numerous perks to its inhabitants to help them achieve it. Photo: Sergii Figurnyi / Shutterstock.com

Spain

Spain has a siesta culture, in which companies and stores close between 2 and 5 p.m., enabling individuals to relax or spend time with their family. This cultural practice encourages a more relaxed work culture by providing a much-needed break during the day.

Spain also has laws that allow employees to change their schedules to better suit their personal requirements. For example, part-time work, flexible hours, or remote work can help people better manage their work and personal commitments.

Leisure time is also highly valued in Spanish society, thus many individuals prioritize activities such as spending time with family and friends, traveling, and pursuing hobbies and interests outside of work. In addition, with an average workday of 38 hours per week, Spain has a shorter workweek than many other European countries.

With an average workday of 38 hours per week, Spain has a shorter workweek than many other European countries. Photo: Serenity-H / Shutterstock.com

Norway

Norway is frequently regarded as one of the greatest countries for achieving work-life balance. One example on why is its low-hour workweek, with an average of only 37.5 hours, making it one of the lowest in Europe.

In Norway, new parents can take up to 49 weeks of paid parental leave, with the option of extending it to 59 weeks at a lower pay rate. This enables parents to concentrate on their new family and acclimate to their new duties without having to worry about employment.

Another advantage is that Norway provides flexible work arrangements, such as part-time and remote employment, allowing people to combine their work and family duties better.

Norway is frequently regarded as one of the greatest countries for achieving work-life balance. Photo: IM_photo / Shutterstock.com

Sweden

Another Scandinavian country noted for its great work-life balance is Sweden. Shorter work hours and generous parental leave regulations are among the many elements that contribute to a good work-life balance in the country. Sweden’s average workweek is 40 hours, which is shorter than in many other European nations. Furthermore, Swedes frequently take complete lunch breaks and leave work on schedule, which promotes a healthy work-life balance.

Sweden provides up to 480 days of parental leave, with a minimum of 90 days set aside for each parent. This allows parents to spend quality time with their children and acclimate to their new family life without having to worry about employment.

Work-life balance is particularly important to Swedish companies, which frequently provide advantages such as wellness programs, flexible scheduling, and longer vacation time.

Swedes frequently take complete lunch breaks and leave work on schedule, which promotes a healthy work-life balance. Photo: Andrey Shcherbukhin / Shutterstock.com

Switzerland

Switzerland is a country in Europe that values work-life balance, offering several factors that make it an ideal place to achieve it. Swiss employers are known for their flexible work policies, including flexible working hours and the option to work from home.

Moreover, Switzerland has one of the most generous vacation policies in the world, with workers entitled to at least four weeks of paid vacation per year. Many companies also offer additional vacation days or time off for special occasions, which can contribute to a healthier work-life balance.

Swiss employers are known for their flexible work policies, including flexible working hours and the option to work from home. Photo: RudiErnst / Shutterstock.com

Iceland

Iceland is noted for its progressive regulations, such as a 40-hour workday, paid leave for new parents, and flexible work hours. Iceland also provides a one-of-a-kind perk known as “Velferdarradstefnan,” which pays employees a stipend to spend on leisure activities to foster an excellent work-life balance.

Furthermore, Iceland ranks well in terms of gender equality and was the first country in the world to enact equal pay for equal work legislation.

Iceland is noted for its progressive regulations, such as a 40-hour workday, paid leave for new parents, and flexible work hours. Photo: Blue Planet Studio / Shutterstock.com

Italy

Despite its reputation for long working hours, Italy is improving its work-life balance. Italy became the first country in the world to require paid menstruation leave for female employees in 2018, enabling women to take three days off work each month without penalty.

Moreover, Italian workers have a maximum workweek of 40 hours per week and at least four weeks of paid vacation each year. The country also has extensive parental leave rules, with new moms and fathers receiving up to six months of paid leave.

In recent years, Italy has also implemented policies to encourage flexible working arrangements and remote work. Thus, providing employees with greater choice over their work schedules and allowing them to better combine work and family duties.

Italy has also implemented policies to encourage flexible working arrangements and remote work. Photo: shirmanov aleksey / Shutterstock.com

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