Top European Countries for Work-Life Balance
Several European countries are being recognized as some of the best places to work, based on recent studies that examine various aspects of work-life balance. These findings highlight the importance of factors such as working hours, remote work opportunities, and overall employee well-being.
Key Findings from Work-Life Balance Studies
Two separate studies have evaluated European countries based on different criteria. One study, conducted by JobLeads, a global job site, used data from public databases to rank countries based on retirement age, annual working hours, burnout rates, remote work percentages, and sick days. Another study by Remote focused on economic indicators like GDP, safety, and LGBTQ+ friendliness, along with traditional work metrics such as base pay, average workweek length, and statutory holidays.
Luxembourg, Ireland, and Belgium emerged as top contenders in these evaluations, each excelling in different areas.
Luxembourg: A Leader in Work Conditions
Luxembourg ranked first in the JobLeads study due to its balanced work conditions. Employees in Luxembourg typically work a 35-hour week over approximately 35 professional years. The country also provides an average of 14 days of sick leave, which is significantly higher than the European average. This means that Luxembourgish people spend about 47.8 years of their lives not working, which is the second-highest number in Europe after Italy.
However, Luxembourg has a slightly higher-than-average burnout rate of 11.6%, possibly linked to the high percentage of full-time employees working remotely. Despite this, the country’s overall work-life balance remains strong.
Ireland: A Strong Contender
In the Remote study, Ireland was ranked as the top country globally, with several European capital cities making it into the top 10. Ireland’s high scores were attributed to its safety and LGBTQ+ friendliness. The country also scored well in terms of public safety and overall quality of life.
Belgium: Consistent Performance
Belgium performed well in both studies, ranking third in the Remote study and fourth in the JobLeads analysis. Belgians work an average of 34.1 hours per week, which is at least an hour less than their counterparts in Luxembourg, France, and Sweden. The country also tied with Sweden for the highest rate of hybrid or remote work at 14.3%.
However, Belgium’s retirement age of 66 is higher than those of top-performing countries, which affected its overall score.
Germany: Strong Internationally, Less So in Europe
Germany ranked fourth in the Remote study, partly due to increased statutory sick pay in 2025 and improved happiness and LGBTQ+ friendliness scores. However, compared to its European neighbors, Germans tend to retire later at 67 and have one of the longest work careers at 40 years. They also have a relatively high burnout rate of 10.2%.
Despite these challenges, German workers generally work fewer hours per week and year than many of their European peers. About 12% of the workforce works remotely at least part of the time.
France: Mixed Results Across Studies
France showed significant differences in the two reports. It ranked second in the JobLeads study but fell to 16th in the Remote report. French workers have the youngest retirement age in the study at 64 and work an average of 35.6 hours per week. However, they have lower burnout rates compared to Belgium and Sweden, despite having a notable percentage of the workforce in hybrid or remote roles.
Internationally, France barely made the top 20 in the Remote study due to issues with statutory sick day policies, a relatively low minimum hourly wage, and concerns about safety.
Conclusion
These studies highlight the diverse approaches to work-life balance across European countries. While Luxembourg and Ireland lead in certain areas, Belgium, Germany, and France each have their own strengths and challenges. As the global workforce continues to evolve, understanding these factors can help individuals and organizations make informed decisions about where to live and work.
