Global life-work balance index 2025

Overall index score: 86.59

If you’re weighing up an international move for work in 2025, few places rival New Zealand. In fact, “The Land of the Long White Cloud” (the English translation of the country’s Māori name Aotearoa) has held the top spot in our index for a third consecutive year, even improving on its 2024 result partly thanks to a small rise in minimum wage.

What makes New Zealand such a strong life‑work balance contender? The stunning and varied landscapes certainly help, but the country also posts steady scores across our measures — notably statutory annual leave, public happiness, safety and minimum wage (where it ranks second-highest among the nations we reviewed).

Hard work is valued in Kiwi culture, but as the New Zealand government’s guide to the NZ way of working points out, “Life is for living and employers generally respect that.”

Overall index score: 81.17

Ireland keeps its #2 position for 2025. Known for its friendly locals and festive reputation around St. Paddy’s Day, the country — alongside Austria — is among the safest places to live and work of all those we analysed.

The Emerald Isle performs well across many indicators, with a comparatively strong minimum wage and a relatively generous maternity leave arrangement — 26 weeks off at 70% of income payment rate — versus numerous other countries. Workplace culture in Ireland tends to strike a balance between hard graft and a strong sense of community and camaraderie.

Overall index score: 75.91

Securing a top-three finish again after sharing the spot with Denmark last year, Belgium’s reputation for a good life‑work balance now sits alongside its fame for chocolate, waffles and beer — helped by one of Europe’s higher minimum wages (topped only by the United Kingdom and Germany).

Belgium also posts strong marks for statutory sick pay and maternity payment rate, and its happiness score is among the highest in Europe at 6.91/10. On average Belgians work relatively short weeks (34.1 hours) compared with many international peers.

Overall index score: 74.37

Climbing two places from the 2024 ranking, Germany reaches number four in our 2025 life‑work balance index. Punctuality and a professional approach are often cited as traditional German traits, alongside an emphasis on working smarter rather than longer hours — a likely contributor to its strong life‑work balance.

Several developments have boosted Germany’s 2025 score, notably an increase in statutory sick pay, particularly for parents. We also observed a modest rise in overall happiness, a reduction in average weekly hours and improved LGBTQ+ inclusivity since 2024.

Overall index score: 74.20

Making the largest leap among our top ten, Norway rises from ninth in 2024 to fifth in 2025. That gain is largely down to an extension of parental leave options (Norway offers the most generous parental leave of any country we studied), and a slight fall in average working hours. At 32.6 hours, Norway is among Europe’s shortest work weeks on average.

Norwegian work culture tends to favour equality and collaboration, reflected in its standing as the most LGBTQ+-inclusive country on our list. Like other Nordic nations, Norway is also regarded as one of Europe’s happiest countries.

Overall index score: 73.76

Danes are long associated with a healthy separation between work and home life. Many credit Denmark’s focus on balance for its consistently high happiness rankings — and the Danes’ affection for the hygge way of life likely plays a part.

Although Denmark slipped out of the top three this year (it shared third place with Belgium in 2024), it remains synonymous with a high quality of life, second only to Finland for public happiness. Denmark also has one of the shortest average working weeks (32.5 hours) and ranks among the safest and most LGBTQ+-friendly countries.

Overall index score: 72.89

Canada has dropped two places this year but remains the only country from the Americas in our top ten for life‑work balance. In sharp contrast to its southern neighbour (the United States ranked 59th out of the 60 countries reviewed), “The Great White North” posts solid results across many metrics in our 2025 study.

For example, Canada is among the world leaders for statutory sick pay, and it scores well on public safety and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. It also offers universal, government-funded healthcare — a feature the U.S. lacks.

Canadian workplaces typically value punctuality and reliability, while workers generally maintain a clear boundary between work and family life.

Overall index score: 71.53

Australia’s global image is one of an easygoing, ‘no worries’ culture, and that attitude is reflected in many workplaces that prize openness and egalitarianism. The country keeps a strong focus on employee wellbeing and holds steady at number eight for life‑work balance for the second year running.

Although Australia lags behind its Antipodean neighbour New Zealand in several measures, it has the highest minimum wage of all countries we studied — the equivalent of $18.12 in U.S. dollars. Perhaps fitting for a sun-soaked nation with a relaxed outlook, Australians tend to work relatively short hours (32.29 per week) compared with many other countries.

Overall index score: 71.42

Rounding out the top ten is Finland, “officially” the happiest country in the world in 2025, according to a recent study. In fact, the Finns have been named the world’s most upbeat nation for the past eight years. That standing is often linked to high societal trust and freedom, and a strong connection to the outdoors and nature.

Finland slid two places in our global life‑work balance ranking this year (partly due to a small dip in LGBTQ+ inclusivity) but stays in the top 10 thanks to its happiness score, generous statutory annual leave, strong sick‑pay levels and a relatively short average working week.

Overall index score: 70.53

Is the classic Spanish “siesta” a tired stereotype? Possibly — it’s believed that most Spaniards never take a midday nap — yet the country still maintains a broadly healthy approach to work and life, keeping its place in the top 10 for a second year running.

While Spain’s public happiness rating is lower than some other European nations, it scores well on most measured factors. Spain ranks as the second-most LGBTQ+-friendly country of the 60 we reviewed, and workers there benefit from generous annual leave entitlements and maternity payment contributions.