Latest news with #GlobalLife-WorkBalanceIndex
Time Out
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time Out
Singapore is the best country in Asia for work-life balance in 2025 – surprised?
We sure hope you're not OT-ing while reading this, but this just in: Singapore has been named the best country in Asia for work-life balance in 2025, according to the Global Life-Work Balance Index by For all our gripes about Singapore's hustle culture, perhaps things aren't so bad after all? But hold up – we aren't talking about working hours alone. This index report also takes into account other key factors in the workplace, including statutory annual leave, minimum statutory sick pay percentage, paid maternity leave, and minimum wage, among others. In Singapore, the minimum statutory annual leave entitlement starts from seven days in your first year of employment, and increases with each year until it hits 14 days after eight years or more. However, most companies here choose to be more generous, offering 14 to 21 days of paid leave per year. Medical leave is fixed at 14 days of outpatient leave and 60 days of hospitalisation leave per year. Globally, Singapore ranks 25 out of 60 – not too shabby, but there's definitely still room for improvement, especially with two out of five Singaporeans waking up feeling tired on a daily basis. Leading the pack are New Zealand, Ireland, and Belgium in the top three, with Germany, Norway, and Denmark following closely behind in that order. Asia-wise, our neighbour Malaysia ranks second (#27 globally), though it's surprising to see Japan – notorious for its exhausting work culture where unpaid overtime is commonplace – at third place (#29 globally). 10 best countries in the world for work-life balance: Top 10 countries in Asia for work-life balance: Singapore Malaysia Japan Taiwan South Korea Indonesia Vietnam Thailand India Hong Kong We tried the viral Korean tofu gelato in Singapore – and yes, it's worth all the hype
AsiaOne
4 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
Singapore ranks top in Asia for work-life balance and 25th in the world, according to Remote study, Lifestyle News
When it comes to finding a job, one criteria many people would look out for is work-life balance. And it seems Singapore is one of the best countries in the world to provide this, according to a recent study. In 2025 Global Life-Work Balance Index, which ranked 60 countries, Singapore came in at 25, with an index score of 57.85 over 100. At the top of the list is New Zealand, Ireland and Belgium, with index scores of 86.87, 81.17 and 75.91 respectively. Though Asia generally didn't fare too well, Singapore is the top Asian country on the list for work-life balance. This is followed by Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Indonesia, which have index scores of 57.03, 56.54, 54.61, 53.42 and 52.07 respectively. According to website, the global study was launched in 2023, with countries assessed for "important work-related factors" including statutory annual leave, access to healthcare, public safety and average hours worked per week. "The goal was to accurately represent each country's life-work balance, reframing the familiar concept of 'work-life balance' to showcase how businesses in each country are looking after the lives of their employees and putting life before work," they said on their website, choosing to use the phrase 'life-work balance' instead. The company pulled and analysed data in April 2025 and metrics were adjusted with index weights to reflect their relative importance. For Singapore, we have healthcare benefits like a public insurance healthcare system and minimum statutory sick pay percentage of 80 to 100 per cent. As for our safety levels on the Global Peace Index Ranking — where the lower the number is between 1 and 4, the better — we scored 1.34. However, we do have areas that need improvement, based on the survey. On average, an employee here works 42.60 hours a week, which is higher in comparison to countries like New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, which work 33.00, 37.90, and 36.60 hours a week respectively. According to their ranking on statutory annual leave, we rank one of the lowest on the list globally, with only 18 days. This is compared to countries like UAE, Ireland and South Korea, which reportedly have 44, 32 and 30 days of annual leave respectively. Our performance on the study's happiness index is also not the highest, with a score of 6.57 out of 10. The 2023 and 2024 reports from past studies only showed the top 10 countries in the world on the list. Singapore was not ranked in any of these. [[nid:667934]] melissateo@
Time Out
6 days ago
- Business
- Time Out
Where in Asia can you actually live while you work? This global index has the answers
When it comes to work-life balance, not all countries are created equal. Sure, a place might have great beaches and decent Wi-Fi, but what about fair work hours, healthcare access, public safety, and enough paid time off to actually enjoy your surroundings? 2025 Global Life-Work Balance Index ranked 60 countries based on exactly that, and while Asia may not dominate the top spots, a few countries in the region are stepping up their game. For those looking to relocate to Asia, the data offers some clear frontrunners – and a few red flags. Singapore and Malaysia are the best in Asia Leading the pack in Asia is Singapore, coming in at 25th globally. The city-state scores well on healthcare and safety, all essentials for a healthy work environment. It's not exactly laid-back (this is still Singapore), but it offers solid infrastructure, reliable transport, and a thriving café scene for the laptop crowd. Malaysia, meanwhile, is the real mover. Ranked 27th globally, it jumped 20 places from last year thanks to improvements in maternity leave and work-hour regulations. For workers, Malaysia is a tempting balance: Kuala Lumpur's digital scene is growing fast, and spots like Penang or Langkawi offer the coastal calm you're probably craving between Zoom calls. Japan drops, China struggles Japan has slipped to 29th in this year's index. While it still scores well on safety and healthcare, it ranks near the bottom for annual leave. Those hoping to soak in onsen towns or Tokyo's buzz should be prepared for long hours and deeply ingrained work norms. China lands much lower at 52nd, held back by the longest average work week in the region, over 46 hours. The digital infrastructure may be impressive, but the pace is fast, and policies aren't as friendly to downtime. What about the usual relocation faves? Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines didn't rank as highly on the 2025 list, largely due to weaker statutory leave, longer work weeks, and patchy healthcare access. That said, these spots remain beloved by those looking to relocate: affordability, culture, and community. You'll need to create your own balance instead of relying on national policies to protect your downtime. 2025 Global Life-Work Balance Index: How Asian countries ranked Singapore –#25 Malaysia – #27 Japan –#29 Taiwan – #30 South Korea – #31 Indonesia – #34 Vietnam – #39 Thailand – #41 India – #42 Hong Kong – #44 Philippines – #45 Kazakhstan – #46 China – #52 Pakistan – #54 Bangladesh – #57 Have you heard? Digital nomad visas: countries in Asia where you can live and work remotely
Time Out
30-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time Out
The 2025 Global Work-Life Balance rankings are out – here's where Australia lands
Life is meant for living, but some countries excel at it more than others – including Australia. We work hard, but our laid-back lifestyle does wonders for our overall wellbeing. From morning ocean swims and coffee catch-ups to lunchtime strolls and knock-off drinks, it's the small daily rituals that keep us sane while increasing our productivity in the long run. But how does our work-life balance stack up against the rest of the world? Remote has just dropped its third annual Global Life-Work Balance Index (yep, that 'life-work' flip is intentional), which assesses the top 60 GDP countries on nine factors: annual leave, sick pay, maternity leave, minimum wage, working hours, healthcare, safety, happiness and LGBTQ+ inclusivity, granting each a score out of 100. For the third year running, our neighbours in New Zealand claimed the crown for the best work-life balance. They scored an impressive 86.87 out of 100 overall, which is a six-point improvement from last year. Australia held onto its spot in the global top ten for work-life balance, ranking eighth for the second year in a row. While our overall score dipped slightly from 72.10 in 2024 to 71.35, we're still ahead of major players like the United States, Spain and Finland. That said, we're trailing behind the likes of Dublin, Brussels and Berlin – so there's still room for improvement. We Aussies are pretty proud of our laid-back reputation, and according to the report, our work culture broadly reflects that 'no-worries' attitude to life. Among the top ten countries for work-life balance, Australians clock the fewest working hours on average – just 32.29 hours a week. Add to that the highest minimum wage of any of the top 60 GDP countries (USD $18.12), and it's clear we're doing something right. For comparison, that's quite a bit above what workers earn in the top three ranked countries, including New Zealand (USD $16.42), Ireland (USD $13.96) and Canada (USD $11.60). However, Australia has room to improve when it comes to annual leave and parental support. Aussie workers get 30 days of annual leave, which is decent, but still five days less than Oslo (ranked fifth) and Copenhagen (ranked sixth), and two fewer than New Zealand. Further, new parents in Australia receive just 12 weeks of paid maternity leave at minimum wage, while across the ditch, New Zealand offers a generous 26 weeks at full salary. A comparison like this is handy, as it shows us what we can do to improve our work-life balance as a nation. And hey, while we're at it, how about we rally for that four-day work week too? These are the 10 best countries for work-life balance New Zealand Ireland Belgium Germany Norway Denmark Canada Australia Spain Finland 😱 We're (finally) making moves: Australia just achieved its best gender equality ranking 🌳 🏝️
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
New Zealand proves work-life balance is no longer a dream, Here are other countries getting it right
In a world forever altered by the remote revolution, the age-old equation of 'live to work' has been upended. Across continents, governments, companies, and citizens are increasingly asking a different question: What if we worked to live? As burnout becomes a global epidemic and mental health a mainstream concern, the idea of a life-work balance, not work-life, has taken center stage. This inversion is intentional: the best systems today no longer force life to squeeze between shifts, but instead build work around the contours of a meaningful, healthy existence. So which countries are leading this global reimagining? According to the 2025 Global Life-Work Balance Index, compiled by ten nations have emerged as global exemplars. They aren't just offering more vacation days or shorter hours. They're building ecosystems that respect dignity, flexibility, and joy. The Life-Work Balance Index ranks countries on a composite of factors: statutory paid leave, sick leave and parental policies, average working hours, healthcare access, minimum wage strength, public safety, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and overall happiness levels. It's not just about labour laws—it's about lived experience. New Zealand Index Score: 88.7 Around 32 days of statutory paid leave High national minimum wage Top rankings in public safety and LGBTQ+ inclusion New Zealand tops the list for good reason. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now It has carefully engineered its labour ecosystem to prioritise flexibility, wellness, and inclusivity. With a culture that encourages switching off after work and policies that support generous time off, it's a country where professional life respects personal boundaries. Ireland Index Score: 81.2 30+ days of paid annual leave Robust family and parental benefits Increasing support for remote and hybrid models Ireland blends EU-grade labour protections with a cultural commitment to leisure and community. Laws supporting sick leave and maternity benefits are complemented by a work culture that promotes switching off—literally. The 'Right to Disconnect' is no longer a debate; it's a law. Belgium Index Score: 75.9 Strong legal protections for part-time work Excellent healthcare access Generous paid sick leave and vacation schemes Belgium's model of balance isn't just about time off—it's about tailoring work to individual needs. Whether through compressed workweeks or job-sharing, employees are empowered to prioritise life milestones without professional penalties. Germany Index Score: 74.7 30 days paid vacation on average Capped weekly working hours Free and accessible public healthcare Germany combines economic productivity with employee-first policies. The working week is clearly defined and rarely spills into personal time. Legal protections ensure that rest is not a reward but a right, enabling citizens to remain both professionally focused and personally fulfilled. Norway Index Score: 74.2 Extensive parental leave (shared by both parents) One of the world's highest public safety ratings Universal healthcare and generous welfare Norway's approach is deeply holistic. Citizens don't just enjoy time off—they feel secure taking it. With the state supporting families and healthcare needs, workers are free to prioritise mental health, parenting, or simply unplugging from work pressure without anxiety. Denmark Index Score: 73.8 35+ days of paid time off Average workweek under 37 hours High levels of job autonomy and social trust In Denmark, work-life balance isn't aspirational—it's built into national DNA. From a young age, Danes are taught that personal fulfillment and work performance are not mutually exclusive. Employers trust employees to deliver results, and in return, employees don't have to sacrifice their evenings or sanity. Canada Index Score: 73.5 Government-mandated parental leave and benefits Universal access to healthcare Emerging national dialogue around mental health Among its North American peers, Canada is a standout. While the US lags far behind in work-life protections, Canada offers a more humane template, blending social safety nets with increasing emphasis on remote work, flexibility, and emotional well-being. Australia Index Score: 72.1 30 days of average annual leave Culturally reinforced after-hours disconnect Supportive workplace policies in both public and private sectors Australia has long championed a laid-back lifestyle, but its work policies reflect a serious commitment to balance. There's a national ethos of 'clocking out' that isn't just observed—it's respected. Employees are encouraged to enjoy life outside of the office, whether at the beach or with family. Spain Index Score: 71.9 Up to 36 days of statutory leave Generous sick leave and parental entitlements Cultural emphasis on rest, food, and family Spain doesn't just allow balance—it celebrates it. From siesta traditions to long family meals, Spain has institutionalised rest. While its economy is modernising, its values remain rooted in the idea that work must accommodate life—not the other way around. Finland Index Score: 70.9 Progressive labour laws and flexible schedules High scores in happiness, education, and trust Family-first policies backed by the state Finland's excellence comes from treating work-life balance as a design challenge. The country builds flexibility into education, housing, and public services—creating a society where workers are supported by structures, not trapped by them. What do these countries have in common? While each nation differs in geography and governance, their approach to work-life balance reveals shared values: Time is protected, not just with laws, but through culture. Healthcare and wages are non-negotiable, reducing stress and insecurity. Trust-based work environments empower autonomy and flexibility. Inclusivity and safety are viewed as prerequisites for quality of life. These are countries that don't just talk about balance—they build it. Balance is a policy choice, not a privilege The world's best-performing nations in work-life balance aren't the wealthiest by default; they're the most intentional. They've chosen to place people over profit, wellbeing over output, and community over control. As the next generation of workers demands more humane conditions, these countries aren't just ahead of the curve—they are the curve. For the rest of the world, the question isn't whether work-life balance is achievable. It's: What are you waiting for? Ready to navigate global policies? 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