In 2023, OECD data shows that Mexico topped the list with 2,207 hours worked per person per year, followed by Costa Rica (2,171) and Chile (1,953). This confirms a trend: Latin American countries remain at the top for annual working hours.
In the United States, the average annual working time was 1,799 hours, significantly higher than Germany, which recorded the lowest value at just 1,343 hours. In between are Italy (1,734), France (1,500), and the United Kingdom (1,524).
This gap isn’t just about time—it’s also about output per hour: countries with fewer working hours often generate more value per hour worked, as seen in Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
The data reveals a geographic divide: Northern and Western European countries tend to work fewer hours, prioritizing efficiency and work-life balance, while in Latin America and some Eastern European countries, people work longer—often with lower levels of automation and fewer labor protections.
These figures reflect not just workload, but deeply different economic, cultural, and social models. In a world increasingly focused on remote work, wellbeing, and productivity, working hours remain a key indicator.
