Across the world, working hours vary widely, but some countries have mastered the art of doing more with less time.
Their success challenges the traditional belief that longer hours equal greater output. Instead, these countries prove that efficient systems, strong labor protections, and a focus on work-life balance can create happier, more productive societies.
Germany
In many analyses of average annual working hours, Germany often appears at or near the bottom—meaning its workers spend fewer hours on the job compared with many other developed nations.
According to data from The GlobalEconomy.com, Germany recorded around 1,342 hours per year in one recent measurement, representing among the lowest in the dataset.
What is striking is that Germany achieves high levels of productivity and output despite the relatively low number of hours.
Scholars argue that this reflects a greater emphasis on efficiency, automation, strong labor protections, and a culture that values rest and personal time.
In effect, Germany illustrates how the formula “less work = less output” does not hold universally; instead, it suggests that time spent working can be trimmed without undermining performance, if each hour is well used.
The Netherlands
Another country frequently cited among the lowest-work-hour nations is The Netherlands. Some weekly-hours lists, for example, put the average at around 26–27 hours in certain years for Dutch workers.
On an annual basis, the Netherlands’ average annual hours worked per worker is around 1,388 according to another source.
The Dutch labor market offers flexible part-time opportunities, generous vacation and leave arrangements, and a strong legal framework for work-life balance.
As a result, many workers are able to reduce their hours without sacrificing economic security or productivity. The Netherlands therefore provides a model of how a developed economy can sustain shorter work weeks while maintaining strong standards of living.
Norway
The Nordic example of Norway also features among countries with lower annual working hours. As reported by one dataset, Norway’s average hours per year fall significantly below many OECD norms.
But it is not only the hours that matter: the broader Norwegian system of high wages, universal social services, generous leave policies and a cultural expectation of time for leisure all combine to make fewer working hours compatible with high wellbeing.
For Norwegian workers, the reduced hours are part of a holistic model where work is balanced with life outside of work, and where the labor market is aligned toward quality rather than quantity of hours.
Austria
Similarly, Austria ranks among European nations where average working hours are lower than in many other countries. Data from lists of average annual hours indicate Austria at around 1,443 annual hours in one source.
The Austrian labor culture emphasizes collective bargaining, regulated working-time rules and comprehensive social protections. These conditions allow workers to spend fewer hours working while still enjoying stable employment and a strong social safety net.
The Austrian case suggests that one of the keys to fewer working hours is the institutional framework around labor rights and the value placed on personal and family time.
Denmark
The Denmark example is also instructive. Among the countries with comparatively fewer annual working hours, Denmark consistently appears. One data source lists Denmark with one of the lowest numbers of hours among developed economies.
In Denmark, a culture of trust at work, flexible working arrangements, and strong labor-market institutions contribute to the shorter hours.
Danish workers benefit from a system where the goal is not simply to maximize hours on the job, but to maximize value produced, while preserving high quality of life.
In conclusion, the examples of Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria and Denmark show that the idea of “least hours” is not inherently negative or a sign of reduced economic vigor.
Quite the opposite: in these countries, fewer hours go hand in hand with strong economies, high productivity, and high standards of living.
As more societies grapple with questions about overwork, burnout and the future of labor, these nations offer valuable models of how to recalibrate the relationship between time at work and time for life.
