Which Country Has the Least Vacation Days?

By Anna Duncan

When it comes to vacation time, some countries are more generous than others. While some workers enjoy several weeks of paid vacation each year, others are not so fortunate.

In fact, there are countries where employees receive very little time off. So which country has the least vacation days?

According to a recent survey by the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), the United States is the only advanced economy in the world that does not guarantee its workers any paid vacation time. This means that American workers have no legal right to a single day of paid time off.

Of course, many employers do offer some vacation time as a benefit to their workers. However, the amount can vary widely depending on the company and industry. According to the same CEPR survey, the average number of paid vacation days offered by private sector employers in the US is just 10 days per year.

But how does this compare to other countries? According to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), there are several countries where workers receive even less time off than their American counterparts.

For example, workers in Mexico receive an average of just six paid vacation days per year. This is significantly less than in most other OECD countries. In contrast, France guarantees its workers a minimum of 30 paid vacation days per year – one of the highest amounts in the world.

Other countries with relatively low levels of paid vacation time include Japan (just 10 days per year), South Korea (15), and Canada (also 15). Meanwhile, workers in Denmark enjoy an average of 30 paid vacation days per year – tying with France for the highest amount among OECD member states.

It’s worth noting that these figures only represent averages and that specific entitlements can vary depending on factors such as industry sector, job role, and seniority within a company. Additionally, some countries also provide additional public holidays or “bank holidays” that do not count towards a worker’s annual vacation entitlement.

In conclusion, while the United States may be the only advanced economy that does not legally guarantee its workers any paid vacation time, there are several other countries where employees receive very little time off each year. If you’re looking for a job with generous vacation benefits, it might be worth considering one of the many countries where workers enjoy more time to relax and recharge.