Global life-work balance index 2025

Overall index score: 86.59

If you are planning to relocate overseas for employment in 2025, few nations compare with New Zealand. Indeed, “The Land of the Long White Cloud” (the English translation of the country’s Māori name Aotearoa) remains at the summit of our index for a third consecutive year, improving on its 2024 result partly because of a modest rise in the minimum wage.

What explains New Zealand’s strong life–work balance? Being surrounded by varied, spectacular scenery certainly helps, but although the country is not number one on every metric we examined, it performs consistently well across the study — notably for statutory annual leave, public happiness, safety and minimum wage (where it ranks the second-highest of all countries assessed).

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 retains its #2 position in 2025. Known internationally for the warmth of its people and closely associated with St. Paddy’s Day, the country — together with Austria — is regarded as one of the safest places to live and work among those we analysed.

The Emerald Isle performs strongly across numerous measures, offering a relatively high minimum wage and a generous maternity leave scheme by international standards (26 weeks at a 70% income payment rate). Work culture in Ireland typically balances dedication to work with a pronounced sense of community and camaraderie.

Overall index score: 75.91

Having secured a place in the top three—after sharing the spot with Denmark last year—life–work balance is increasingly a hallmark of Belgian culture alongside its famous chocolate, waffles and beer. This is partly explained by Belgium’s position among the highest minimum wages in Europe (surpassed only by the United Kingdom and Germany).

Belgium also ranks well on other indicators such as statutory sick pay and maternity payment rates, and its happiness score is among the best in Europe at 6.91/10. On average, Belgians work relatively short weeks (34.1 hours) compared with many international counterparts.

Overall index score: 74.37

Germany has climbed two places from the 2024 rankings to reach fourth in our 2025 life–work balance index. While punctuality and professionalism are often described as “German values,” there is also a strong focus on working smarter rather than longer hours, which helps explain Germany’s reputation for a good life–work balance in Europe.

Several developments have contributed to Germany’s higher score in 2025, but a key factor is an increase in statutory sick pay, particularly benefiting parents. There has also been a slight rise in general happiness and a reduction in average weekly working hours, and the country’s LGBTQ+ inclusivity has improved since 2024.

Overall index score: 74.20

Norway makes the largest leap among our top ten countries, advancing from ninth in the 2024 study to fifth this year. This rise is chiefly the result of an extension of parental leave options (Norway offers the most generous parental leave of all countries reviewed), and there has been a modest reduction in working hours. At 32.6 hours, Norway has one of the shortest average work weeks in Europe.

Norwegian work culture emphasises equality and cooperation, which is reflected in its status as the most LGBTQ+-inclusive country on our list. Like many of its Nordic counterparts, Norway is also regarded as one of Europe’s happiest nations.

Overall index score: 73.76

Danes are long associated with a harmonious divide between personal and professional life. Many commentators point to Denmark’s strong emphasis on balancing work and life as a key reason it consistently ranks among the world’s happiest nations — and the Danes’ fondness for the hygge lifestyle may contribute as well.

Although Denmark fell out of the top three this year (it shared third place with Belgium in 2024), the country remains synonymous with a high quality of life, second only to Finland on public happiness levels. It also records one of the shortest average working weeks (32.5 hours) and is widely regarded as both safe and highly LGBTQ+-friendly.

Overall index score: 72.89

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

For example, Canada ranks among the world’s leaders for statutory sick pay, and also scores well for public safety and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Plus, one feature it has that the U.S. lacks is a universal government-funded healthcare system.

Workplaces in Canada value punctuality and reliability, yet employees commonly preserve a clear boundary between work and family life.

Overall index score: 71.53

Australia is widely perceived as relaxed, with Aussies commonly adopting a “no-worries” attitude to life. Their workplaces reflect this outlook, prioritising openness and egalitarianism. The country continues to focus on employee wellbeing, maintaining its number eight ranking for life–work balance for the second year running.

While Australia ranks below its Antipodean neighbour New Zealand in many categories, it records the highest minimum wage among the countries we reviewed — the equivalent of $18.12 in U.S. dollars. Unsurprisingly for a nation with such a relaxed outlook (and abundant sunshine), Australians tend to work relatively short hours, averaging 32.29 per week compared with many other countries.

Overall index score: 71.42

Rounding out the top ten is Finland, cited as the world’s “official” happiest country in 2025 by a recent study. Indeed, Finns have been ranked the world’s most upbeat nation for eight consecutive years, a status often attributed to high levels of societal trust and freedom and a close relationship with nature and outdoor life.

Finland has slipped two places in this year’s Global Life-Work Balance Index (partly due to a minor decline in LGBTQ+ inclusivity) but remains in the top 10 thanks to its strong happiness score, generous statutory annual leave, high sick-pay rates and a relatively short average working week.

Overall index score: 70.53

Is the notion of the traditional Spanish “siesta” now an outdated or misleading stereotype? Possibly (it is believed that most Spaniards never take a midday nap), yet the country still maintains a broadly healthy approach to work and life, retaining its top-10 position for a second consecutive year.

Although Spain’s public happiness score may be lower than some other European nations, it performs well across most measured factors. Spain ranks as the second-most LGBTQ+-friendly country out of the 60 we analysed, and Spanish workers benefit from generous annual leave entitlements and maternity payment provisions.