What does life-work balance mean, and why will it matter in 2025?
We avoid the phrase “work-life balance” because it suggests priorities are reversed. Life-work balance puts life first and sees work as supporting a fulfilling life rather than defining it. Life-work balance cannot be reduced to hours on the clock; it is a complex concept. Our study therefore aims to provide a rounded view of what it means to live and work well in different regions. We also recognise that life-work balance has no single universal definition — it varies by person and culture. Our goal is to outline key statutory benefits and workplace systems worldwide that support a life-first approach. Globally, life-work balance underpins physical and mental wellbeing. Everyone deserves time and freedom to participate fully in life outside of work.
“Promoting life-work balance recognises that work should support life rather than be its defining purpose. At Remote, the Global Life-Work Balance study is more than a comparative chart; it embodies our belief that people do their best when trusted to live fully outside work as well as within it. We press for life-work balance because flexibility and wellbeing are fundamental, not mere perks. Our mission is to shape a future where global talent thrives both professionally and personally.” — Barbara Matthews, Chief People Officer
Why life-work balance matters now more than ever
For the first time, life-work balance now ranks as the leading motivator for employees worldwide, with workplace flexibility taking precedence over salary in a recent survey of thousands of international workers.
What makes life-work balance increasingly non-negotiable in today’s work landscape?
Employees demand flexibility. In our latest Remote Workforce Report , 73% of hiring leaders reported they’ve lost employees to companies offering greater flexibility.
The boundaries are blurred. The widespread shift to hybrid and remote models brings many positives, yet it can make it harder for employees to ‘disconnect.’
We live in an always-on culture. Technology has expanded possibilities, but expectations for 24/7 responsiveness have increased.
Economic uncertainty is widespread. Amid rising costs of living globally, many employees are putting in extra hours to remain relevant and secure 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. While AI can help us work smarter, it also heightens fears of redundancy and increases the pressure to keep developing skills.
Our findings show that countries such as New Zealand and many European nations support employees with life-first policies, while nations like the United States risk a burnout crisis by continuing to favour long hours and limited paid leave.
If decisive measures are not taken, this path will deplete the talent pool and undermine the workforce’s long-term resilience.
Life-Work Balance Index survey methodology
As a leading authority in global HR and employment, we analysed index data from the world’s top 60 GDP countries to determine which global jurisdictions deliver the strongest life-work balance for employees. These 60 economies comprised the global sample and the study examined the following indicators:
Statutory annual leave (total paid leave days, including public holidays)*
Minimum statutory sick pay (percentage of wages, or a fixed amount)*
Statutory maternity leave (weeks paid)*
Statutory maternity leave payment rate (percent of wages)*
Minimum wage (USD per hour)*
Healthcare status
Happiness index score (1–10, 10 denotes the highest)
Average hours worked per week for each employed person
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity (0–100, 100 being highest; the Legal Index scores the legal rights and freedoms LGBTQ+ people have, while the Public Opinion Index scores regional public sentiment)
Safety: Global Peace Index (1–4, lower scores indicate better safety)
The study aimed to portray each country’s life-work balance accurately, reframing the familiar concept “work-life balance” to show how employers across jurisdictions look after employees’ lives and place life ahead of work.
Metrics were weighted to reflect relative importance and combined to give each country a score out of 100. Rankings run from highest to lowest for most indicators, except healthcare (ranked out of five, with one best) and average weekly hours and safety (ranked from lowest to best).
Data were extracted and analysed in April 2025.
(*) Where a range was provided, the minimum value was recorded.
