Work-life balance is now the highest-ranking factor for employees when it comes to their current or a future job (85%), followed by job security (83%), according to a survey of 26,000 workers in 35 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, conducted for Randstad’s Workmonitor 2025 report.
For the first time in the report history, work-life balance ranked higher than salary (79%) for workers when they were asked ‘how important are the following factors for your current job or future employment?’ Other high-ranking priorities for participants were annual leave (78%), flexibility in terms of location (70%), flexibility in terms of working hours (74%), and the need to make a personal impact in their roles (68%).
The study’s findings also suggest that flexible working arrangements have become the norm, with 64% of participants reporting that their jobs provide them with more flexibility in terms of location, a rise from 51% in 2024. Similarly, 71% reported more flexibility of working hours, compared with 57% in 2023.
Countries Having the Best Work-Life Balance
Improving life-work balance can help employers increase retention rates, and attract talented candidates from more diverse global talent pools. Therefore, it is important to figure out which nations have the best work-life balance, and for that we would analyse the 2024 Global Life-Work Balance Index by HR-tech company Remote, which studied all aspects like statutory annual leave and amount paid for maternity leaves to arrive at the conclusion. We would also look at the OECD’s work-life balance data, which analyses how many hours employees work and how much time people devote to leisure and personal care.
If you are considering relocating to a new country for work, these are the countries, based on the work-life balance index by Remote and OECD that lead the way.
New Zealand: It holds the top spot in Remote’s index, having also ranked first in its 2023 study. Backed by a strong economy, New Zealand’s workforce is characterised by its “can-do” Kiwi attitude and emphasis on open communication and self-reliance.
It offers a high minimum wage with a generous annual leave entitlement of 32 days. Additionally, New Zealand scores well on the ‘Happiness Index’ and is considered one of the safest countries to live and work.
Ireland: Featuring in the top 10 for the first time, the country scores consistently well across various metrics. Backed by a universal government-funded healthcare system, Ireland offers one of the highest minimum wages in the Remote index. This country of just over five million, is also considered one of the safest in the world.
The global perception of the Irish is that they tend to be warm, friendly, and casual, and this attitude generally extends to the workplace. “Hierarchy is not typically seen as overly important, and it’s common for work colleagues to socialise together. Family values also play an important role in Irish culture,” according to Remote.
Belgium: The country achieves its high 2024 ranking because of an updated sickness policies. While individual attitudes vary, Belgians tend to subscribe to the “work to live” mantra rather than the other way around, rarely letting the two mix.
Its minimum wage is among the highest in Europe and average hours worked per week, which at 35 is below the average of the countries included in the index.
Denmark: It is the world’s second-happiest nation, according to the World Happiness Report. The Danes’ contentment must surely be somewhat down to their healthy attitude to life and work — only 2% of Danish employees work “very long hours”, according to OECD data, reflected by a shorter-than-average working week of 33.91 hours. Some companies and employees are experimenting with a four-day workweek, although it is not mandated by law.
It offers a generous statutory annual leave entitlement (35 days), while it adopts one of the world’s most parent-friendly leave policies. The country that brought the concept of “hygge” is considered one of the safest places to live, as well as one of the leaders in promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
Canada: The country ranks high primarily due to having one of the shortest average working weeks (the average Canadian works 32.1 hours) while also being considered safe and most LGBTQ+-friendly countries.
The Canadians are well ahead of their neighbours in the US in terms of their attitude toward work, with Canadian working culture tending to be professional but inclusive.
Norway: It was ranked at the top by the OECD report in terms of work-life balance. Employees can benefit from parental leave, paid overtime work, flexible working hours, and attractive vacation leaves. The laws allow for overtime but are strictly regulated. Overtime should not exceed 200 hours per year and it is compensated at a rate of 40%-100% above regular salary.
Netherlands: The standard workweek in the country is 36-40 hours, five days a week, according to an OECD report. Employees also work for four days a week or have flexible work arrangements. Overtime is not widely practised in the country and when it is required, it is always compensated with additional pay or time off, as per labour laws. The laws permit employees to take breaks of at least 30 minutes after working for more than five hours.
Sweden: The standard workweek in Sweden is 40 hours and flexible work arrangements are common, allowing employees to adjust their schedules according to family and personal needs. Overtime is regulated by laws. Employees can work a maximum of 200 hours per year, compensated at a higher rate, usually 50%-100% above regular pay. It has one of the most generous parental leave systems in the world.
Finland: The standard workweek in the country is 37.5 to 40 hours. Remote working is widely practised. Flexible working hours are common so that employees can adjust to their schedules. Finnish workers are entitled to at least five weeks of paid vacation every year. Mothers are allowed to take four months of maternity leave while fathers can take 54 days of paid leave, which can be taken within two years of the child’s birth.
Switzerland: The standard full time workweek here is 40-42 hours. Companies offer flexible work arrangements and part-time work is common. Overtime is regulated and compensated with 125% of the regular salary or time off. Overtime hours are generally capped at 140 hours per year for employees. Mothers are entitled for 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, during which they get 80% of their salary. Fathers can take two weeks of paid paternity leave and are entitled to 80% of their salary. Wages in the country are generally high, reflecting its strong economy and high cost of living.
