Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on the day's biggest business stories
Subscribe to Axios Closer for insights into the day’s business news and trends and why they matter
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Sign up for Axios NW Arkansas
Stay up-to-date on the most important and interesting stories affecting NW Arkansas, authored by local reporters
With 11% of U.S. employees working 50 or more hours a week and the average American spending 40% of their day dedicated to their jobs, the U.S. is on the lower end of work-life balance among developed countries.
By the numbers: OECD looks at the percentage of workers who work long hours as well as the average time spent on leisure or personal activities — including eating and sleeping — in order to determine work-life balance. The Netherlands comes out on top. On average, the Dutch work 353 hours fewer than Americans every year and almost 70% of Dutch women work (compared to the OECD average of 57%). This is up from 35% in the 1980s, although many women work only part time.
Meanwhile, the U.S. — the only OECD country without a national paid parental leave policy — has seen female employment drop over the past 10 years, according to OECD.
By the numbers: OECD looks at the percentage of workers who work long hours as well as the average time spent on leisure or personal activities — including eating and sleeping — in order to determine work-life balance.
- The French spend the most time on leisure and personal care, with an average of 16.36 hours per day, while people in Turkey and Mexico spend the least at fewer than 13 hours per day.
- Turkey and Mexico also have the two highest percentages of workers who work long hours at 33% and 29%.
- More than 16% of male workers in OECD countries work long hours — 50 or more per week — compared to only 8% of women. But women are also more likely to work part-time.
- Almost 26% of employed women in 2015 had part-time jobs, compared to only 9% of men.
- Female employment is lowest in Turkey, Greece and Mexico.