It is believed that working hours are highly variable worldwide, influenced by labor regulations, cultural standards, and economic pressures. While some nations place a high value on a work-life balance, others are renowned for having notably longer workweeks. Countries with high industrialization rates, strong economic expansion, or labor-intensive industries are frequently mentioned when determining which country has the longest workweeks. Asia has historically reported having some of the longest workweeks.

Nonetheless, changing cultural norms, growing trends and legal changes still influence the global work environment. Meanwhile, the International Labour Organization published a list of all the nations where workers put in the longest hours worldwide. The work culture and working hours vary greatly across the globe. People work an average of 40 hours a week in certain countries, and 50 to 60 hours a week in others.
Recently, the CEO of India's leading IT Firm, Infosys; Shri Narayan Murty attracted the debate, wherein, the business tycoon stated about working 70 hours a week. Such a statement by him sparked debates about the mental, physical, and emotional health of the employees. Many examples are there where the employees from varied departments and firms, suffer the 'overworked' culture in the companies around the globe.
Due to variations in employment regulations, work cultures, and economic situations, working hours vary between nations. Countries with lengthy workdays frequently make news because of the dedication and diligence of their workforce. Long workdays, however, do not always equate to increased output. They can at times have a detrimental impact on employees' overall health and work-life balance.
What is the Scenario in India? What Position Does India Hold?:
One might be taken aback to hear that 51 percent of Indian workers work 49 hours or more a week. India has become the nation with the second-highest number of extended hours of work as a consequence. Bhutan tops the global rankings, with 61 percent of its workforce working overtime. Employees there average over 49 hours, while other South Asian nations like Bangladesh (47 percent) and Pakistan (40 percent) also feature in the regional top 10 for long working hours.
What do the Figures from the International Labour Organization Indicate?:
Data released by the International Labor Organization shows that India is among the countries with the longest working hours globally. Employees across various sectors in India log some of the longest hours. According to the International Labour Organization, the average Indian employee works 46.7 hours per week. Here's a list of the countries with the longest weekly working hours worldwide.
Let us have a look into it:
The Top 10 Countries Where Employees are Working 49 Hours or More a Week are Listed Below:
| Country | Percentage of Employees Working 49 or More Hours Per Week |
|---|---|
| Bhutan | 61 percent |
| India | 51 percent |
| Bangladesh | 47 percent |
| Mauritania | 46 percent |
| Congo | 45 percent |
| Burkina Faso | 41 percent |
| Pakistan | 40 percent |
| United Arab Emirates | 39 percent |
| Lebanon | 38 percent |
| Myanmar | 38 percent |
Top Nations With the Longest Weekly Average Working Hours:
| Country | Average Hours Per Week Per Employed Person |
|---|---|
| Bhutan | 54.4 |
| United Arab Emirates | 50.9 |
| Lesotho | 50.4 |
| Congo | 48.6 |
| Queue | 48 |
| Liberia | 47.7 |
| Mauritania, Lebanon | 47.6 |
| Mongolia | 47.3 |
| Jordan | 47 |
| Bangladesh, Pakistan | 46.9 |
| India | 46.7 |


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