Top 10 Countries With Longest Work Hours-Here Is Where India Ranks

“With Indian employees averaging 46.7 hours per week, half of the workforce clocks 49+ hours weekly, placing India among the global leaders in prolonged work hours.”

January 12, 2025: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subrahmanyan recently reignited the debate about long working hours by suggesting that employees should work up to 90 hours a week to maintain a competitive edge. Joining a growing list of Indian business leaders, including Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy and Shaadi.com CEO Anupam Mittal, Subrahmanyan’s comments reflect the ongoing discourse around work-life balance in India.

Also Read: Work on Sundays Too: L&T Chairman Sparks Outrage with Work-Life Balance Remarks

However, as the debate rages, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has highlighted that India already ranks 13th globally among the most overworked nations. The average Indian employee works 46.7 hours weekly, with 51% of the workforce putting in 49 or more hours per week, making India second globally in terms of prolonged working hours.

Also Read: Anand Mahindra Advocates Quality Over Quantity in Work-Life Debate

Top 10 Countries With Longest Work Hours (ILO Report):

Also Read: Deepika Padukone Slams L&T Chairman’s 90-Hour Work Comment: ‘They Just Made It Worse’

1. Bhutan: Employees in Bhutan top the list globally, working an average of 54.4 hours weekly.
2. United Arab Emirates (UAE): Workers clock 50.9 hours weekly to support the region’s rapid economic growth.
3. Lesotho: Known for its challenging labor conditions, workers here average 50.4 hours weekly.
4. Congo: Employees work 48.6 hours weekly, making it the fourth most overworked country globally.
5. Qatar: With an average work week of 48 hours, Qatar ranks fifth on the list.
6. Liberia: Workers spend 47.7 hours per week on average, driving the economy.
7. Mauritania: The nation sees employees working 47.6 hours weekly.
8. Lebanon: Average weekly working hours in Lebanon stand at 47.6.
9. Mongolia: Employees work 47.3 hours weekly in this East Asian country.
10. Jordan: Workers clock an average of 47 hours per week in Jordan.

India’s Work Culture Context

India’s inclusion in the global top 15 overworked nations underscores concerns around work-life balance. The ILO data shows that Indians are part of a high-stakes labor culture, with extended work hours potentially affecting productivity and well-being.

The Other Side: The Shortest Working Hours

Contrasting the overworked nations, countries like Vanuatu, Kiribati, and Micronesia rank as the most relaxed in terms of weekly working hours. Vanuatu employees work only 24.7 hours weekly, offering a stark perspective on global work culture disparities.

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India work culture, longest working hours, ILO report on work hours, global work-life balance, overworked nations, SN Subrahmanyan remarks, Indian workforce challenges.