Many people hope to achieve a balance between life and work, but most office workers can only become hardworking employees, oppressed daily by work and barely catching their breath.
Global human resources website “Remote.com” has just released the “Life-Work Balance Index” for 60 countries or regions worldwide. Malaysia ranks 27th globally, Taiwan is 30th, Hong Kong is 44th, and Beijing comes in at 52nd.
The website “Remote.com” used workplace indicators such as salary level, working hours, statutory annual leave, workplace safety, and health benefits to comprehensively compare the “Life-Work Balance Index” of 60 countries or regions. The higher the ranking, the more likely workers are to achieve a balance between work and life; the lower the ranking, the more overworked and life-dominated-by-work the labor force.
●New Zealand Wins the Top Spot for 3 Consecutive Years
The report shows New Zealand has claimed the number one spot for three consecutive years, with its score improving by 6 points due to a rise in minimum wage. Ireland retains the runner-up position, and Belgium once again takes third place. Ranks 4 to 10, in order, are Germany, Norway, Denmark, Canada, Australia, Spain, and Finland.
Among Asian countries or regions, Singapore ranked the highest at 25th, followed by Malaysia at 27th, Japan at 29th, and Taiwan at 30th. As for Hong Kong, it is ranked 44th, while Beijing is at 52nd.
●Netherlands Works Only 30.5 Hours Per Week
Although New Zealand took the top spot, European countries overall lead in life and work balance, with seven European countries making it into the top 10. In comparison, no Asian or African country is in the top 20.
The Netherlands has the shortest working hours, at only 30.5 hours per week. Iraq and Ethiopia also enjoy relatively ample rest time, while the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have the longest weekly working hours.