Americans Work More Than Most of the Developed World—But With Less to Show for It

Long Hours, Limited Rest

Americans work an average of 8.4 hours per weekday, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)—about 1,796 hours annually. That’s 465 more hours than Germans, 389 more than Norwegians, and roughly 60 hours above the OECD average. The U.S. ranks eighth among OECD countries for hours worked, highlighting its enduring culture of long workdays. Redd Francisco / Unsplash

The Only Advanced Economy With No Guaranteed Vacation

The U.S. remains the only advanced economy without federally mandated paid vacation days. Nearly 23% of American workers receive no vacation at all, and one in five aren’t paid for federal holidays. In stark contrast, Austria guarantees 38 days off, France and Spain each ensure 36, Germany offers 30, and even the U.K. mandates 28.

The lack of time off isn’t just a scheduling issue—it reflects a cultural divide. In many nations, rest is seen as vital to productivity and well-being; in the U.S., it’s often treated as a luxury or even an indulgence. Chen Mizrach / Unsplash

Sick Leave Disparities

Paid sick leave reveals a similar gap. Of the 38 OECD nations, only South Korea and the United States lack national requirements. Fourteen U.S. states have implemented their own paid sick day laws, but most workers still receive very few. Employees with ten years or less of service get just seven sick days per year on average, according to the BLS.

By comparison, Canada provides ten paid sick days plus up to 15 weeks at partial pay, Germany covers six weeks at full pay, and the U.K. allows up to 28 weeks off for illness. Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash

Productivity Doesn’t Match the Hours

Working more doesn’t mean producing more. U.S. productivity per hour stands at $97, falling behind Ireland ($151), Norway ($132), and Switzerland ($99)—all countries that provide 29 or more paid days off.

This suggests that longer hours may not yield stronger economic output, and that nations prioritizing rest often achieve higher efficiency. Ian Dooley / Unsplash

The Cultural Weight of “Vacation Guilt”

Many Americans hesitate to take time off even when it’s available. Surveys show that around half of U.S. workers don’t use all their paid time off, often citing fear of falling behind or feeling replaceable. Researchers have coined a term for this: “vacation guilt”—the sense of shame or anxiety over taking a break.

The phenomenon extends into later life. The average U.S. retirement age has risen from 57 in 1991 to 65 for men and 63 for women. Roughly two-thirds of non-retirees now say they fear they’ll never retire comfortably. Israel Andrade / Unsplash

The Bottom Line

Americans work harder, longer, and later than many of their global peers—yet not necessarily more effectively. With no federally guaranteed paid leave, rest remains a privilege rather than a policy. Meanwhile, countries that balance work and rest continue to outperform the U.S. in productivity and worker satisfaction. ThisisEngineering / Unsplash