Top 10 countries with the best work-life balance
Find out where South Africa ranks among the countries with the best work-life balance.
Years ago, it was practically impossible to take work home with you.
However, with technological advancements like laptops, smartphones, email, and instant messaging, it's now easier than ever to do certain jobs from anywhere in the world.
While there are many benefits to being able to work from anywhere at any time, it also puts work-life balance at risk.
It has become almost too easy to grab your laptop, to quickly check an email or respond to a message while at home.
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Similarly, it has become too easy for companies to contact employees, whether it's for an urgent situation, a quick check-in, or to find something out.
Now, more than ever, it's important to set clear boundaries with your job and for employees to implement firm rules around after-hours work and communication.
Of course, every country in the world is different.
Some may be making great strides in implementing rules to ensure a good work-life balance for residents, while others may still be falling behind.
Remote, an online HR solutions and employment tool, has published its third Global Life-Work Balance Index.
Since its inception in 2023, the index has aimed to emphasise the growing need for life-work balance across the globe.
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The index highlights countries that have made progress in promoting a healthy work-life balance, as well as those that may have regressed or still need to catch up.
To compile the list, Remote assesses several factors and assigns a 'life-work balance score' out of 100 to the top 60 GDP nations.
These factors include:
- Statutory annual leave
- Minimum statutory sick pay percentage
- Paid maternity leave and payment rate
- Minimum wage
- Access to healthcare
- The country's overall Happiness Index
- Average hours worked per week
- LGBTQ+ inclusivity
- Public safety
From these factors, the top 60 countries are ranked from best to worst.
South Africa just missed the top 30, placing 33rd on the list with a score of 52.17 out of 100.
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That's not too great considering the country with the best work-life balance in the world is New Zealand, scoring an impressive 86.87 out of 100.
Here's a look at the top 10 countries with the best work-life balance, according to Remote's Global Life-Work Balance Index:
- New Zealand – Score: 86.87
- Ireland – Score: 81.17
- Belgium – Score: 75.91
- Germany – Score: 74.65
- Norway – Score: 74.20
- Denmark – Score: 73.76
- Canada – Score: 73.46
- Australia – Score: 72.10
- Spain – Score: 71.94
- Finland – Score: 70.86
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