Global life-work balance index 2025

Overall index score: 86.59

If you plan to move abroad for work in 2025, few countries compare with New Zealand. “The Land of the Long White Cloud” — the English rendering of Aotearoa — remains at the top of our index for a third consecutive year, improving slightly on its 2024 result partly due to a modest rise in minimum wage.

What makes New Zealand so favourable for life-work balance? The country’s remarkable landscapes certainly help, but it also posts reliable scores across our measures — especially statutory annual leave, wellbeing and safety, and minimum wage (where it ranks second among the countries we evaluated).

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

Overall index score: 81.17

Ireland keeps second place in 2025. Known for its friendly locals and convivial culture, the country associated with St Paddy’s Day — alongside Austria — ranks among the safest places to live and work in our analysis.

The Emerald Isle performs well across many indicators, with a relatively strong minimum wage and a generous maternity leave arrangement compared with other nations (26 weeks at 70% pay). Irish work culture typically balances diligent work with community spirit and camaraderie.

Overall index score: 75.91

Holding a top-three spot after sharing third place with Denmark last year, Belgium’s reputation for life-work balance is increasingly part of its national identity alongside chocolate, waffles and beer — helped by one of Europe’s higher minimum wages (surpassed only by the United Kingdom and Germany in our sample).

Belgium also scores strongly on statutory sick pay and maternity payment rates, and its happiness rating is among Europe’s best at 6.91/10. Belgian workers typically have relatively short work weeks (34.1 hours) compared with many peers.

Overall index score: 74.37

Ascending two places from 2024, Germany rises to fourth in our 2025 index. Punctuality and professionalism are long-held German traits, and there’s a strong focus on efficiency over sheer hours worked — a likely factor in its strong life-work balance rating in Europe.

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

Overall index score: 74.20

Making the largest climb among our top ten, Norway rises from ninth in 2024 to fifth in 2025. This progress is chiefly due to an extension of parental leave options (Norway offers the most generous parental leave in our study), along with a modest reduction in working hours. With an average week of 32.6 hours, Norway is among Europe’s shortest.

Norwegian workplaces favour equality and collaboration, and Norway ranks as the most LGBTQ+-inclusive country on our list. Like its Nordic neighbours, it is also regarded as one of Europe’s happiest nations.

Overall index score: 73.76

Danes are long associated with a strong separation between personal life and work. Many attribute Denmark’s consistent appearance among the world’s happiest countries to its commitment to balance — and perhaps to the popular hygge lifestyle.

Although Denmark slipped out of the top three this year (it shared third with Belgium in 2024), it remains synonymous with high quality of life — second only to Finland for public happiness. It also has one of the shortest average work weeks (32.5 hours) and is seen as both safe and LGBTQ+-friendly.

Overall index score: 72.89

Canada slipped two places this year but remains the only country from the Americas in the top ten for life-work balance. In stark contrast to its southern neighbour (the United States placed 59th of 60), Canada performs well across many indicators in our 2025 study.

For instance, Canada ranks highly for statutory sick pay and does well on public safety and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. It also offers a universal, government-funded healthcare system — a feature the U.S. lacks.

Workplaces in Canada value punctuality and reliability, while employees generally keep a clear boundary between work and family life.

Overall index score: 71.53

Australia is widely seen as relaxed, with many Australians adopting a “no-worries” outlook. That attitude filters into workplaces, which often emphasise openness and equality. The country retains eighth place for life-work balance for a second consecutive year.

Although Australia trails 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. Perhaps fittingly for a sunlit nation with a relaxed culture, Australians work relatively short weeks (32.29 hours on average).

Overall index score: 71.42

Finland rounds out the top ten and is officially the happiest country in the world in 2025, according to a recent study. The Finns have topped happiness rankings for eight straight years, often credited to high social trust, personal freedoms and strong ties to nature.

Finland slipped two places in our 2025 life-work balance ranking (partly due to a small decline in LGBTQ+ inclusivity) but remains in the top ten thanks to its happiness score, generous statutory annual leave, strong sick pay and a relatively short average work week.

Overall index score: 70.53

Is the classic Spanish “siesta” stereotype outdated? Quite possibly (research suggests most Spaniards do not take a midday nap), yet Spain still maintains a broadly healthy attitude toward work and life, holding its place in the top ten for a second year.

Although Spain’s public happiness metric is lower than some other European countries, it scores well on many measures. Spain ranks as the second-most LGBTQ+-friendly country among the 60 we reviewed, and workers benefit from generous annual leave and maternity pay provisions.