India lags in Global Life-Work Balance Index, New Zealand tops for 3rd year
New Zealand has secured the top position for the third consecutive year, with a whopping high score of 86.87 out of 100, followed by Ireland and Belgium, with significantly high scores of 81.17 and 75.91, respectively.
Workers of the country enjoy 32 days of statutory annual leave, up to 100% wage coverage for sick days, and 26 weeks of paid maternity leave at full pay. The country's shorter working hours across sectors, strong public policies and improved minimum wages played a major role in helping it secure the first place in the index.
How was the survey conducted?
Remote selected the top 60 GDP countries of the world as a global sample.
The survey aimed to discover which global player offers employees the best life-work balance, with several parameters taken into consideration.
The study reviewed multiple indicators including statutory annual leave (total days of paid leave, including public holidays), minimum statutory sick pay, statutory maternity leave, statutory maternity leave payment rate, minimum wage (USD per hour), healthcare status, happiness index score, average working hours per week per employed person, LGBTQ+ inclusivity and safety, according to the Global Peace Index.
Where does India stand in the index?
With a score of 45.81, India has been ranked 42nd out of 60 countries in the index.
Although Indian employees are entitled to 35 days of statutory annual leave, issues like poor healthcare access, sick pay typically covering less than 60% of wages and longer working hours have pushed it back in the line, snatching its position among the top forty countries in the index.
Where is the USA in the index?
The United States of America secured the second last spot in the index with measly low rank of 59, scoring 31.17 out of 100.
The exceptionally poor score appears to be largely due to limited paid leave and unfavourable working conditions reported by employees in the country.
Who is ranked last in the index?
Nigeria was placed at the bottom of the index with a score as low as 29.67.
According to a report by Lloyd's Bank, the general working hours in a week in Nigeria are 40 hours, with all workers entitled to two to four weeks of annual leave, overtime and paid leave.
Here's the complete list of countries and their ranking in index:
1. New Zealand - 86.87
2. Ireland - 81.17
3. Belgium - 75.91
4. Germany - 74.65
5. Norway - 74.20
6. Denmark - 73.76
7. Canada - 73.46
8. Australia - 72.10
9. Spain - 71.94
10. Finland - 70.86
11. United Kingdom - 69.68
12. Netherlands - 68.97
13. Portugal - 68.65
14. Argentina - 68.35
15. Austria - 68.01
16. France - 67.62
17. Poland - 65.33
18. Hungary - 63.38
19. Czech Republic - 63.06
20. Sweden - 62.92
21. Greece - 62.84
22. Italy - 60.52
23. Switzerland - 60.32
24. Chile - 58.02
25. Singapore - 57.85
26. Romania - 57.49
27. Malaysia - 57.03
28. Brazil - 56.63
29. Japan - 56.54
30. Taiwan - 54.61
31. South Korea - 53.42
32.Colombia - 53.38
33. South Africa - 52.17
34. Indonesia - 52. 07
35. Saudi Arabia - 50.79
36. Israel - 49.79
37. Ukraine - 49.77
38. Peru - 49.18
39. Vietnam - 47.08
40. United Arab Emirates - 47.01
41. Thailand - 45.86
42. India - 45.81
43. Russia - 45.29
44. Hong Kong - 45.72
45. Phillipenes - 44.62
46. Kazakhstan - 44.57
47. Mexico - 44.04
48. Algeria - 43.63
49. Iran - 43.11
50. Turkey - 43.06
51. Morocco - 41.59
52. China - 38.68
53. Qatar - 38.33
54. Pakistan - 38.27
55. Iraq - 37.66
56. Ethiopia - 37.61
57. Bangladesh - 36.91
58. Egypt - 35.77
59. United States - 31.17
60. Nigeria - 26.67
(Remote pulled and analysed the data in April 2025)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
16 minutes ago
- India.com
Vece Paes Dies At 80: Remembering The Olympic Hockey Medalist, Multi-Sport Star, Medical Expert, And Patriarch Of A Sporting Dynasty
Dr. Vece Paes, the legendary Indian hockey player who won a bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics and the father of tennis icon Leander Paes, passed away in Kolkata on 14 August 2025. He was 80 and had been battling advanced Parkinson's disease. Athletic Achievements Born in Goa in April 1945, Paes was a remarkable multi-sport talent. While hockey brought him international acclaim, his sporting journey also included competitive stints in football, cricket, and rugby. As a midfielder in the Indian hockey team, he played a pivotal role in India's bronze-medal triumph at the 1972 Olympics and was also part of the squad that secured bronze at the 1971 Hockey World Cup in Barcelona. Sports Medicine & Administration Beyond the playing field, Paes carved out a pioneering role in sports medicine. A qualified physician, he served as a consultant for the Asian Cricket Council, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the Indian Davis Cup team, championing athlete health, fitness, and anti-doping education. His administrative leadership extended to serving as President of the Indian Rugby Football Union (1996–2002) and the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club. Personal & Family Legacy Paes' family is one of India's most unique sporting dynasties. His wife, Jennifer Paes, captained the Indian women's basketball team, and their son, Leander Paes, is among the most decorated players in tennis history, with 18 Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles titles and an Olympic singles bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Tributes poured in from across the sporting community. Hockey India hailed him as a 'gentle giant' and an enduring symbol of sporting excellence, while former teammates remembered his humility and versatility. His last rites will be conducted after the arrival of his daughters from abroad. Dr. Vece Paes' life reflected a rare blend of athletic brilliance, medical expertise, and administrative vision. From the hockey turf to the doctor's clinic, his contributions left an indelible mark on Indian sports. His passing closes an extraordinary chapter, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations.
News18
26 minutes ago
- News18
Breaking India's Non Communicable Diseases Chain: A Call For Freedom From Chronic Diseases
Noncommunicable diseases silently claim millions of Indian lives each year, but with early action, prevention, and awareness, the country can break this deadly chain. Every Independence Day, we drape ourselves in the tricolour, sing the anthem, and remind each other how hard freedom was won. But for millions of Indians living with chronic illnesses, true freedom remains out of reach. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory illnesses, and diabetes collectively called noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) now account for 62% of all deaths in Southeast Asia, according to the World Health Organization. Every year, nine million people in the region die from these conditions, many before their 70th birthday. Dr Sabine Kapasi, CEO at Enira Consulting, Founder of ROPAN Healthcare, and UN Advisor shares all you need to know: The threat is not only in the staggering numbers, it lies in the way these diseases silently take root. Poor diets, inactivity, pollution, and genetic predisposition create a slow, invisible chain of damage. By the time symptoms are recognised, it is often too late to reverse them. Yet, most premature NCD deaths are preventable. The COVID-19 surge in May 2021 made this painfully clear. Obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions sharply increased the risk of death. Thousands who might have survived the virus did not because their bodies were already weakened by diseases they had been silently managing for years. Globally, NCDs claim 41 million lives annually, including 14 million people aged 30 to 70. Without urgent action, the WHO warns this could rise to 55 million by 2030. For India, the stakes are also economic: reports estimate a loss of $4.58 trillion by 2030 due to NCD-related costs, with heart disease and mental health conditions making up the largest share. But there is hope. India's preventive health ecosystem is growing—startups, government programmes, and grassroots health workers are joining forces. Metabolic trackers, Oura Rings, Tata 1mg dashboards, and workplace health screenings are already spotting risks early. If we sustain this momentum, by 2047 we could win freedom from preventable diseases, redefining independence as the ability to live well. The Government's '75/25" initiative aims to bring care to 75 million people with hypertension and diabetes by December 2025. As of March 2025, treatment had reached 42 million people for hypertension and 25 million for diabetes 89% of the target. This progress is encouraging, but numbers alone cannot dismantle stigma, misinformation, or health neglect. Encouragingly, AIIMS Nagpur and UNICEF Maharashtra are now addressing an often-ignored crisis: NCDs in children. The 2019 Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey revealed alarming trends among children as young as five. Experts warn of a growing risk among children aged 5–9 and adolescents aged 10–19, proof that prevention must begin far earlier than we think. The fight against NCDs is no longer a public health issue alone, it is a national movement. Just as we once came together to win our political freedom, we must now unite to secure the freedom to live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Lancet Study: 4 in 10 diabetics in India don't know they have the disease
A new study published in Lancet Global Health has revealed that nearly four in ten diabetics in India are unaware of their condition. The findings are based on an analysis of a survey conducted among 57,810 adults aged 45 years and above between 2017 and 2019. According to the study, 20% of adults in this age group have diabetes. 'Prevalence among men and women was similar, at 20%,' it noted. Independence Day 2025 Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji gave India its own currency Swadeshi 2.0: India is no longer just a market, it's a maker The research also highlighted that the prevalence of diabetes in urban areas is almost double that in rural regions, possibly due to differences in lifestyle and dietary habits. Conducted by researchers from the Mumbai-based International Institute of Population Sciences, the University of Michigan, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the study urges policymakers to strengthen efforts to prevent, detect, manage, and control diabetes among middle-aged and older populations. India ranks second globally in the number of adults (aged 20–79 years) with diabetes, with the disease accounting for approximately 3% of all deaths in the country in 2019. Experts warn that hypertension, or high blood pressure, is also on the rise. They stress that early access to medicines for both conditions can help avert severe complications. However, studies suggest that rural healthcare infrastructure remains inadequate. A recent survey by ICMR, WHO, and other institutions in 19 districts across seven states assessed how well community and primary health centres could handle diabetes and hypertension. Results showed that only about 40% of sub-centres (SCs) were equipped to treat these conditions, with many lacking even basic medicines. Of the 105 SCs evaluated, nearly one-third experienced stockouts of tablet metformin (used for diabetes), while around 45% reported shortages of tablet amlodipine, prescribed for high blood pressure. Live Events [With TOI inputs]
