20 Best Countries For Work-Life Balance—And U.S. Isn't On It

Newsweek

4 days ago

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A new report by Global has revealed the top countries for work-life balance in 2025, with New Zealand leading the world, and the U.S. is not included.
Why It Matters
Maintaining a good work-life equilibrium means having enough time and energy to manage work demands while also enjoying family, hobbies, rest, and personal well-being. A healthy work-life balance helps reduce stress, prevents burnout, and improves overall quality of life. Ultimately, it's about maintaining productivity at work without sacrificing health, relationships, or personal fulfillment.
However, not only does the U.S. fail to place in the top 20 countries in the world with the best work-life balance—it came in second to last overall across 60 countries included in the survey. The findings put it well behind other major economies like the U.K., Germany, Canada and Australia.
Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Canva
Which Countries Have The Best Work-Life Balance?
The Global Life-Work Balance Index 2025 by global HR solutions provider Remote evaluated 60 countries, factored in variables like paid leave, sick pay, maternity benefits, minimum wage, healthcare access, work hours, safety, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Each nation received a score out of 100.
New Zealand came out on top with an impressive index score of 86.9, thanks to its 32 days of paid time off, 26 weeks of paid maternity leave at full pay, universal healthcare, and a minimum wage of $16.42.
Ireland and Belgium followed closely behind with scores of 81.2 and 75.9, respectively. Scandinavian countries like Norway, Denmark, and Finland also ranked high, bolstered by generous parental leave and universal healthcare, despite offering no national minimum wage.
Australia also made the top 10, offering a world-leading minimum wage of $18.12 - though its maternity leave offerings were less generous than European counterparts. Meanwhile, the United States was absent from the top rankings due to its lack of statutory paid parental leave and private healthcare system.
Lower in the top 20 rankings, Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic scored lower largely due to lower minimum wages and more limited leave, despite generous maternity protections.
Unfortunately, the U.S. is well behind all of these—placing 59th overall, beating only Nigeria.
"With public safety and LGBTQ+ inclusivity decreasing, the United States now has the second-worst life-work balance, according to the data. The U.S. falls to 59th out of 60, having placed 55th last year and 53rd in 2023," the study concludes.
Other factors, like a federal minimum wage of $7.50 that has not changed since 2009 and a private healthcare system, also likely contributed to its low ranking.
What People Are Saying
Remote in its study findings: "Across the globe, life-work balance remains fundamental to our physical and emotional wellbeing. We should all have the time and freedom to engage meaningfully with our lives outside of work."
What Happens Next
While the U.S. still lags behind many developed nations in terms of work-life balance, there is some progress—through both legislative proposals at federal and state levels and the corporate world embracing flexible work models.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced two bills—the Paid Family Leave Public‑Private Partnerships Act and the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network Act, so far in 2025. Since the coronavirus pandemic, corporations have increasingly adopted hybrid and remote work.