Data compiled across 187 countries show wide variation in statutory paid leave policies, reflecting cultural and political differences. The United States has no guaranteed paid leave days and no paid public holidays, while some countries mandate more than eight weeks of annual statutory leave. European nations, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, rank high for generous social safety nets and time off. Several African and Middle Eastern countries also offer extensive paid leave, especially where multiple Islamic holidays are mandated. Venezuela provides the most paid holidays at 23. Among the 35 countries with the most paid time off, 15 are European, 10 African, six in the Middle East and Central Asia, two in South America, and two in Oceania; no North American countries appear.
Statutory paid leave varies around the world. While the United States is the only country with both zero guaranteed paid leave days and zero paid public holidays, some countries offer more than eight weeks of statutory paid leave days in a given year. In a new study by UK payroll company Moorepay, researchers compiled data on statutory leave policies for 187 countries worldwide. Authors found that statutory leave policies vary widely from country to country, reflecting differences in culture and political history.
While Europe - where countries like Denmark, Norway, and Sweden lead the world in social safety net programs and welfare policy - dominates the list of the countries with the most time off, many African and Middle Eastern countries rank highly. In Muslim-majority countries such as Yemen, Libya, and Bahrain, Islamic holidays like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Islamic New Year are mandated as paid time off, and can last for multiple days.
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