The UK has dropped out of the top 10 in the 2024 European Life-Work Balance Index, a major annual study conducted by Remote assessing work-life balance across Europe.
Falling from seventh to eighteenth place, the UK’s decline is attributed primarily to a decrease in public happiness scores and lower rankings for public safety, two new metrics that significantly impacted this year’s rankings.
The study, led by Remote and now in its third year, ranks each European country on a “life-work balance score” based on minimum wage, sick leave, maternity leave, public happiness, average working hours, and public safety. It highlights which countries offer the best quality of life and work balance, and how nations rank comparatively in supporting employee wellbeing. This year’s findings reveal major shifts, with Ireland emerging as the top-ranked nation and a new emphasis on public safety.
Key Findings
This year’s top performer, Ireland, rose to the leading position due to improvements in sick leave policies, a high minimum wage, and a strong public safety score. Remote’s Chief People Officer, Barbara Matthews, noted the continent’s progress toward better life-work balance.
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“It’s fascinating to observe different working cultures across the continent and how each approaches life-work balance,” she said. “Europe is a leader in developing better life-work balance, with Scandinavian countries performing particularly well in our study.”
Ireland’s rise from twenty-fourth place last year is primarily due to its new statutory sick pay policy, effective from January 2024, which bolstered the nation’s score. Ireland also offers one of the highest minimum wages in Europe, contributing to its increased ranking. Scandinavian countries, including Iceland, Denmark, Finland, and Norway, also ranked highly, with Finland scoring as Europe’s happiest nation.
Iceland ranks second, achieving a high score for happiness and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Denmark, ranked third, boasts a shorter average working week of 33.91 hours and strong public safety measures. Danish companies have also experimented with four-day work weeks in certain sectors, increasing flexibility and further supporting employee wellbeing.
These top-ranked nations showcase approaches to work-life balance that prioritise shorter working hours, enhanced statutory leave, and a commitment to public wellbeing. Denmark’s policies, in particular, have shifted towards discouraging extended working hours and promoting work-life harmony.
In contrast, the UK’s fall from seventh to eighteenth was driven by several factors, including lower public safety scores and diminished public happiness, reflecting wider social sentiments about safety and wellbeing. The UK now trails behind most Nordic nations, which prioritise shorter working hours, robust statutory leave, and broader public safety and happiness initiatives.
UK Ranks Poorly for Life-Work Balance in Global Comparison
The UK also ranks below many of its European counterparts in global comparisons. Access People’s Work-Life Balance Report 2024, a global study assessing 40 nations, placed the UK at number 34, citing limited statutory annual leave and fewer bank holidays compared to other European nations. France, Norway, Spain, Lithuania, and Iceland offer more comprehensive leave policies and holidays, which heavily impacted the UK’s global ranking. The lack of extensive legislation around work schedules, such as a four-day work week, also contributes to the UK’s middling position.
The latest Salary & Recruiting Trends Report from Hays found that one-third (33 percent) of UK employees consider work-life balance a crucial factor when evaluating new job opportunities, reflecting a growing demand for flexible work arrangements. While British employers have implemented some flexible policies, the UK’s offerings remain less robust than many European countries.
Barbara Matthews added, “We believe it’s vital for all nations to acknowledge and understand the importance of life-work balance among their workforces, and this is the driving force behind our European life-work balance study – to highlight the strides many countries have made while recognizing that others still have much work to do in this area.
“Global hiring introduces an additional layer of complexity to the life-work balance discussion. What works in one country might not translate well in another, given the cultural, economic, and social distinctions that influence how people perceive the integration between life and work – and it’s important for employers and those seeking relocation to understand these nuances.
“There isn’t a magic formula or a neat one-size-fits-all solution to life-work balance – and its perception will vary between individuals, industries, and countries – but with competition for the world’s best talent intensifying, it’s about fostering an environment where employees feel supported and empowered to find their unique balance.”
