The debate around long work hours is heating up in India, thanks to L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan's recent 90-hour workweek controversy—a figure that trumps Infosys founder Narayana Murthy's earlier push for 70 hours.
While India collectively debates the feasibility of these marathon schedules, according to International Labour Organisation or ILO data, India already has a front-row seat in the global overwork arena.
According to the ILO, the average Indian worker spends 46.7 hours per week on the job, placing the country among the most overworked nations worldwide. To put it into perspective, that's nearly two full days longer per week than some Scandinavian counterparts.
Here's a look at countries with the longest workweeks:
Even more striking, 51% of India's workforce logs over 49 hours weekly, second only to Bhutan, where a whopping 61% of workers exceed the 49-hour mark.
South Asia appears to be a hotspot for extended work hours, with Bangladesh (47%) and Pakistan (40%) joining the ranks at the 12th and 11th positions, respectively. Meanwhile, on a global scale, countries like the United Arab Emirates (50.9 hours) and Lesotho (50.4 hours) also report alarmingly high workweek averages.
India vs. The World
India's overwork culture stands in sharp contrast to nations like Aruba, China, and Germany, where average work hours range from 34.2 to 46.1 hours per week. Interestingly, these nations report minimal instances of workers exceeding the 49-hour threshold, reflecting their commitment to a healthier work-life equation.
Who Is Living The Good Life?
While Indians and workers in other Southeast Asian countries are busy hustling, countries like Vanuatu stand in stark contrast, with workers enjoying an average workweek of just 24.7 hours. Only 4% of Vanuatu's workforce works extended hours—a stark reminder that a balanced life isn't just a dream.
Nations like Kiribati (27.3 hours) and Micronesia (30.4 hours) also seem to be living their best lives with minimal overtime.
Even European countries have mastered the art of work-life balance. The Netherlands (31.6 hours) and Norway (33.7 hours) consistently report low weekly averages, emphasising progressive labour policies that prioritise health and well-being.
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