[APAC] New Zealand takes top spot in life-work balance ranking

[APAC] New Zealand takes top spot in life-work balance ranking
30 Jun 2023

A new study has revealed that New Zealand and Australia are among the best nations for life-work balance, with New Zealand taking the top spot and Australia placing fourth, B&T reports.

Remote’s global index study assesses the quality of life-work balance in the world’s top 60 GDP countries and scores each nation out of 100. The overall total is determined by factors including minimum wage, sick leave, maternity leave, healthcare availability, public happiness, average working hours and LGBTQ+ inclusivity.

The study comes in the wake of statistics showing that more than three-quarters of employees have experienced burnout in their current roles. Remote reportedly believes that the mindset of employees should flip to be life first, work second – hence the coining of the term life-work balance.

Christopher McNamara - chief revenue officer at Remote - said, “Everyone should be able to enjoy both personal fulfilment and professional success, no matter where they live.” 

The Top 10 countries in the ranking and their scores were:

  1. New Zealand (79.35)

The index revealed New Zealand as the country with the best life-work balance. With its strong economy, New Zealand ranks at No.1 in Remote’s list by scoring highly across several metrics, offering a generous statutory annual leave allowance (32 days), a high rate of sick pay (80 per cent) and a government-funded universal health care system.

  1. Spain (75.55)

Spain has a culture that encourages balance. Scoring consistently well across the board, the country is particularly generous when it comes to statutory annual leave (36 days). It also has one of the shortest working weeks on average.

  1. France (75.34)

Businesses in France reportedly have a healthy attitude to life-work balance, workers enjoy plenty of free time, a generous minimum wage and 36 days of statutory annual leave per year.

  1. Australia (73.71)

With stunning landscapes, laid-back culture, and a favourable year-round climate (many states have more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year), Australia ranked high in the life-work balance index. The country offers the highest minimum annual wage per hour of any nation and sick leave is paid at 100 per cent of salary.

  1. Denmark (73.67)

Considered one of the happiest nations (ranking second in the “Happiness Index” metric behind Finland), Denmark gives workers a generous 36 days’ annual leave, 100 per cent sick pay and universal healthcare support. Together with Norway, it is also considered to be Europe’s most LGBTQ+-friendly country.

  1. Norway (73.05)

Norway understands the value of life-work balance. Norwegian nationals are reportedly among the happiest people in Europe. Workers receive 35 days of statutory annual leave and 100 per cent sick pay. Long working weeks are rare and, with a renowned government-funded healthcare system, health expenditure per head is higher in Norway than in most other countries.

  1. Netherlands (69.14)

Perceived to have a modern, independent culture, the Netherlands is the second-happiest country in the top 10, and one of the most supportive of LGBTQ+ rights. Though the Dutch people don’t have a government-backed healthcare package, and the annual leave rate is about average, there is a generous rate of maternity pay for parents.

  1. UK (69.07)

With a high-income economy and a very high human development index rating, the UK has the globe’s sixth-largest economy based on GDP. In addition, it reportedly has a healthy attitude to life-work balance, with an internationally-renowned healthcare system, a generous minimum wage and one of the highest global rates of statutory maternity leave.

  1. Canada (67.91)

Canada offers a universal healthcare package and is seen as the most LGBTQ+-friendly country in which to live and work. Remote ranked Canada as the number one international destination for working professionals because of its high quality of life, safety and myriad leisure opportunities.

  1. Brazil (67.73)

Brazil is the only South American country in Remote’s top 10. Its high position is primarily the result of its generous rate of sick and maternity pay and its government-funded universal healthcare system. Brazil is a popular travel destination that also adopts a healthy attitude to work and life.

Mr McNamara said, “We conducted our global life-work balance study to highlight the possibility for people to find a better balance that allows them to get the most out of both their personal lives and career.

“When conducting the study, it was fascinating to observe different working cultures across the globe and how each approached the concept of life-work balance. Oceania indicates a modern and strong work culture with emphasis on support and inclusivity.

“Here at Remote, we champion companies and organisations that prioritise their employees by providing them with a strong foundation for life-work balance. True life-work balance extends beyond work-from-home mandates – it actively encourages employers to take time off away from the pressures of work, advocating for a balanced life to help us thrive in all areas.

“Burnout has been a hot topic of conversation in the news and among workplace cultures. While the world of work has come a long way since embracing remote-first attitudes and flexibility, there’s still work to be done across the globe to strike a perfect balance between our personal and professional selves.”


Source: B&T

(Links and quotes via original reporting)

A new study has revealed that New Zealand and Australia are among the best nations for life-work balance, with New Zealand taking the top spot and Australia placing fourth, B&T reports.

Remote’s global index study assesses the quality of life-work balance in the world’s top 60 GDP countries and scores each nation out of 100. The overall total is determined by factors including minimum wage, sick leave, maternity leave, healthcare availability, public happiness, average working hours and LGBTQ+ inclusivity.

The study comes in the wake of statistics showing that more than three-quarters of employees have experienced burnout in their current roles. Remote reportedly believes that the mindset of employees should flip to be life first, work second – hence the coining of the term life-work balance.

Christopher McNamara - chief revenue officer at Remote - said, “Everyone should be able to enjoy both personal fulfilment and professional success, no matter where they live.” 

The Top 10 countries in the ranking and their scores were:

  1. New Zealand (79.35)

The index revealed New Zealand as the country with the best life-work balance. With its strong economy, New Zealand ranks at No.1 in Remote’s list by scoring highly across several metrics, offering a generous statutory annual leave allowance (32 days), a high rate of sick pay (80 per cent) and a government-funded universal health care system.

  1. Spain (75.55)

Spain has a culture that encourages balance. Scoring consistently well across the board, the country is particularly generous when it comes to statutory annual leave (36 days). It also has one of the shortest working weeks on average.

  1. France (75.34)

Businesses in France reportedly have a healthy attitude to life-work balance, workers enjoy plenty of free time, a generous minimum wage and 36 days of statutory annual leave per year.

  1. Australia (73.71)

With stunning landscapes, laid-back culture, and a favourable year-round climate (many states have more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year), Australia ranked high in the life-work balance index. The country offers the highest minimum annual wage per hour of any nation and sick leave is paid at 100 per cent of salary.

  1. Denmark (73.67)

Considered one of the happiest nations (ranking second in the “Happiness Index” metric behind Finland), Denmark gives workers a generous 36 days’ annual leave, 100 per cent sick pay and universal healthcare support. Together with Norway, it is also considered to be Europe’s most LGBTQ+-friendly country.

  1. Norway (73.05)

Norway understands the value of life-work balance. Norwegian nationals are reportedly among the happiest people in Europe. Workers receive 35 days of statutory annual leave and 100 per cent sick pay. Long working weeks are rare and, with a renowned government-funded healthcare system, health expenditure per head is higher in Norway than in most other countries.

  1. Netherlands (69.14)

Perceived to have a modern, independent culture, the Netherlands is the second-happiest country in the top 10, and one of the most supportive of LGBTQ+ rights. Though the Dutch people don’t have a government-backed healthcare package, and the annual leave rate is about average, there is a generous rate of maternity pay for parents.

  1. UK (69.07)

With a high-income economy and a very high human development index rating, the UK has the globe’s sixth-largest economy based on GDP. In addition, it reportedly has a healthy attitude to life-work balance, with an internationally-renowned healthcare system, a generous minimum wage and one of the highest global rates of statutory maternity leave.

  1. Canada (67.91)

Canada offers a universal healthcare package and is seen as the most LGBTQ+-friendly country in which to live and work. Remote ranked Canada as the number one international destination for working professionals because of its high quality of life, safety and myriad leisure opportunities.

  1. Brazil (67.73)

Brazil is the only South American country in Remote’s top 10. Its high position is primarily the result of its generous rate of sick and maternity pay and its government-funded universal healthcare system. Brazil is a popular travel destination that also adopts a healthy attitude to work and life.

Mr McNamara said, “We conducted our global life-work balance study to highlight the possibility for people to find a better balance that allows them to get the most out of both their personal lives and career.

“When conducting the study, it was fascinating to observe different working cultures across the globe and how each approached the concept of life-work balance. Oceania indicates a modern and strong work culture with emphasis on support and inclusivity.

“Here at Remote, we champion companies and organisations that prioritise their employees by providing them with a strong foundation for life-work balance. True life-work balance extends beyond work-from-home mandates – it actively encourages employers to take time off away from the pressures of work, advocating for a balanced life to help us thrive in all areas.

“Burnout has been a hot topic of conversation in the news and among workplace cultures. While the world of work has come a long way since embracing remote-first attitudes and flexibility, there’s still work to be done across the globe to strike a perfect balance between our personal and professional selves.”


Source: B&T

(Links and quotes via original reporting)

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