What is life-work balance and why does it matter in 2025?
We move away from the traditional term “work-life balance” because it places work first; our preferred phrase, life-work balance, puts life ahead and insists work should support and enrich it rather than overwhelm it. Life-work balance is not merely a tally of hours spent working versus hours free. It is more complex, which is why our study aims to provide a rounded perspective on what living and working well looks like across different regions. We also recognise that life-work balance has no single global definition — it varies by individual and culture. Our objective is not to generalise, but to outline the statutory benefits and workplace systems that support a healthy life-work balance worldwide. Around the world, life-work balance remains central to physical and mental wellbeing. Everyone should have the time and freedom to engage meaningfully with life outside of work.
“Promoting life-work balance acknowledges that work should support life rather than define it. At Remote, our Global Life-Work Balance study is more than a comparison table — it reflects our belief that people do their best when trusted to live fully outside of work as well as during it. We support life-work balance because flexibility and wellbeing are fundamental, not optional. Our aim is to help create a future where global talent flourishes both professionally and personally.” — Barbara Matthews, Chief People Officer
Why life-work balance is more crucial than ever
For the first time, life-work balance ranks as the top motivator for employees worldwide, with workplace flexibility outranking pay in importance according to a recentsurvey of thousands of international workers.
So why has life-work balance become non-negotiable in today’s work landscape?
Employees demand flexibility. In our recent Remote Workforce Report, 73% of hiring leaders reported losing employees to organisations that offer greater flexibility.
The boundaries are blurred. The rise of hybrid and remote work brings benefits but can make it harder for employees to disconnect from work.
We live in an always-on culture. Technology has expanded our capabilities, but expectations for round-the-clock responsiveness have also increased.
Economic uncertainty is widespread. With rising living costs globally, many people overwork to remain secure and competitive in their roles.
Parental demands are taking a toll. Almost three-quarters of the global workforce have caregiving responsibilities to manage alongside their careers.
AI has introduced additional stress. Although AI can improve productivity, it also creates concerns about redundancy and the need for continual reskilling.
As our analysis shows, countries such as New Zealand and many in Europe are supporting employees with policies that prioritise life, whereas nations like the United States risk increased burnout due to cultures that still favour long hours and limited paid leave.
Without decisive action, this trajectory will drain talent and weaken the workforce’s long-term resilience.
Life-Work Balance Index survey methodology
As specialists in global HR and employment, we analysed data for the world’s top 60 GDP countries to identify which nations offer the best life-work balance. The top 60 GDP countries were chosen as a representative global sample. The study examined the following indicators:
Statutory annual leave (total days of paid leave, including public holidays)*
Minimum statutory sick pay (percent of wage, or a flat amount)*
Statutory maternity leave (weeks paid)*
Statutory maternity leave payment rate (percent of wage)*
Minimum wage (USD per hour)*
Healthcare status
Happiness index score (1-10, 10 being highest)
Average hours per week per employed person
LGBTQ+ inclusivity (0-100, 100 being highest — reflects legal rights and public opinion)
Safety: Global Peace Index (1-4, lower is better)
The aim was to represent each country’s life‑work balance accurately, reframing the familiar concept of "work‑life balance" to show how businesses in each country care for employee lives and place life before work.
The metrics were weighted to reflect relative importance, producing an overall score out of 100 for each country. All data points were ranked highest to lowest, except the healthcare rating (ranked out of five with one being best), average hours worked per week, and the safety score, which were ranked from lowest to best.
The data were pulled and analysed in April 2025.
(*) Where a range was provided, the minimum amount was recorded.
