European Life-Work Balance Index 2024 | Best Work-Life Balance Countries Europe

Overall index score: 78.67

Having ranked all the way down in 24th place in our 2023 study, Ireland leaps into first place for life-work balance in Europe in 2024. This huge jump is mainly due to the Irish government’s introduction of more generous statutory sick pay (which took effect from 1st January 2024) along with a high public safety score — a new metric added to this year’s index.

Known for a relatively laid-back work culture and a warm, friendly disposition, the Irish also benefit from one of Europe’s highest minimum wages — $13.96 per hour in the equivalent of U.S. dollars.

Overall index score: 76.77

Sharing more with Ireland than six letters, Iceland also rises up the rankings in 2024 having placed 10th last year. Like many of its Nordic neighbors, Iceland has a high happiness index score, with its residents considered the third happiest in Europe behind Denmark and Finland.

Icelanders tend to be very family-centric, helping them achieve a healthy life-work balance that prioritizes time spent with loved ones. The country is also considered the continent’s safest and most LGBTQ+-friendly, making it one of the best places to work in Europe.

Overall index score: 74.04

The Danes have long been associated with their healthy attitude to life and work, with long working hours discouraged and many businesses effectively shutting down during the short Danish summer. A four-day working week has even been trialed in some sectors in Denmark.

Not surprisingly, then, Denmark has one of the shortest average working weeks in Europe (at just 33.91 hours) in addition to a generous statutory annual leave entitlement. Denmark is also regularly considered one of the world’s happiest nations, while also achieving a high public safety score.

Overall index score: 73.26

Partly owing to a recent update to its sick leave policies, Belgium enters the top 10 for the first time having ranked 13th in 2023. The country scores well across a number of metrics, most notably statutory sick pay and minimum wage (an hourly rate of $12.15 in U.S. dollars).

While the typical Belgian workplace might be described as friendly yet formal, the country maintains a healthy attitude to life-work balance. Many Belgian employees adopt a “work to live” philosophy and keep their personal and professional lives quite separate.

Overall index score: 71.84

Finland has been named the world’s happiest country for seven consecutive years now, with its so-called “infrastructure of happiness” combining factors such as a strong commitment to human rights, universal access to healthcare, a resilient economy, and a stable education system.

Finland is also a big climber in 2024 having ranked in 15th position in our 2023 life-work balance study. The country has a relatively high safety score alongside a generous annual leave entitlement (36 days) and short average working week (34.43 hours), contributing to the Finns’ contentment.

Overall index score: 70.70

Another entry in the top 10 for the Nordic region, Norway has one of the shortest working weeks in the whole of Europe, with Norwegians clocking up a modest 33.68 hours on average. As with many of its neighboring countries, Norway is also considered one of Europe’s happiest nations.

Norway may also be a prime destination for families looking to relocate for work, having ranked as the number one country for parental life-work balance in a recent study. This is mainly due to a high statutory annual leave entitlement of 35 days and a generous rate of maternity pay.

Overall index score: 70.50

Often associated with punctuality and pragmatism, the Germans nonetheless tend to keep a healthy separation between their lives and their careers. Germany’s average working week of 34.24 hours is among the lowest in Europe.

Making a leap of 6 places from 2023, Germany’s place in the top 10 also owes to the country’s generous minimum wage, which at $14.68 (USD equivalent) is the second highest in the continent, behind only Luxembourg.

Overall index score: 70.21

As alluded to above, Luxembourg (one of the world’s wealthiest countries by GDP per capita) comfortably has the highest minimum wage of any country in Europe, with Luxembourgers entitled to the equivalent of at least $16.13 per hour. The country has dropped this year (ranking #1 overall in 2023), owing to an increase in average work hours and a slight fall in LGBTQ+ inclusivity and happiness scores.

An economic powerhouse that is keenly aware of the importance of a good life-work balance, Luxembourg is characterized by award-winning wines, unique cuisine, and an attitude to work that helps put you and your family’s needs first. 

Overall index score: 69.03

Holding onto 9th place for a second year, Slovenia continues to develop a strong culture centered around life-work balance. Its statutory leave policies are reasonably generous, with 33 days of annual leave, 80% of an employee’s wage paid when on sick leave, and 15 weeks of maternity leave on full pay. 

At 38.7 hours, Slovenia does have the longest average working week in the top 10, and the country still has some work to do in terms of LGBTQ+ inclusivity, but it also has one of the highest safety scores of any country in our index.

Overall index score: 68.45

While the traditional “siesta” is not the staple of the Spanish working day it once was, around 17% of Spaniards still opt for an extended mid-afternoon break before returning to work later in the day. Nonetheless, Spanish culture is mostly conducive to a healthy life-work balance.

Spain has a particularly strong commitment to supporting working parents, offering 16 weeks of maternity leave at 100% of pay. Meanwhile, the country also offers a fairly ample annual leave entitlement of 36 days, encouraging Spanish employees to enjoy plenty of time off.