The 20 Countries with the Worst Work-Life Balance in the World: Is Indonesia Among Them?

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The balance between work and personal life, or work-life balance, is a concern for workers in various countries. The latest report reveals that many countries still have long working hours, limited employee benefits, and high stress levels, which reduce the quality of life for their workers.

The Global Life-Work Balance Index 2025 study, released by Remote.com and quoted by Economic Times, ranks countries with the best to worst work-life balance in the world. Does Indonesia feature in this ranking?

The research analyzed 60 countries with the largest gross domestic product (GDP) in the world. The assessment was carried out using various indicators, ranging from the number of annual leave days, sick leave, maternity leave, minimum wages, weekly working hours, quality of health services, level of public happiness, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, to security factors.

Based on the study, the Philippines is the country with the worst ranking, being the 41st in the world with a score of 46.60 out of 100. One of the factors highlighted is the average working hours, which reach 42.25 hours per week. However, the level of happiness among the people of the Philippines is still relatively better compared to several other countries on the list.

In addition to the Philippines, several Asian countries also dominate the list, such as China, India, Bangladesh, Qatar, Pakistan, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.

Indonesia is not included in the list of the 20 countries with the worst work-life balance released in the report. However, Indonesia is also not yet in the group of countries with the best work-life balance in the world.

Here is a list of countries with the worst work-life balance based on the Global Life-Work Balance Index 2025, quoted by Economic Times:

• Philippines (#41 in the world) - Long working hours, but the level of public happiness is still relatively good.

• Kazakhstan (#43) - Heavy work culture and low level of inclusivity.

• United Arab Emirates (#44) - Very long working hours and low level of inclusivity.

• Mexico (#45) - Relatively low wages, although labor reforms have begun.

• Hong Kong (#46) - High work pressure and low level of happiness.

• Algeria (#47) - Low wages and poor quality of health services.

• Iran (#49) - Long working hours and very low level of inclusivity.

• Morocco (#50) - Long working hours and low level of happiness.

• China (#51) - Limited leave and a work culture with long hours.

• India (#52) - Low wages and a strong hustle culture.

• Bangladesh (#53) - Very low wages and high overtime culture.

• Qatar (#54) - High income, but relatively low worker satisfaction.

• Pakistan (#55) - Low level of happiness and social pressure to work longer.

• Iraq (#56) - Security factors and working conditions are the main challenges.

• Ethiopia (#57) - Does not have a national minimum wage and low level of happiness.

• Egypt (#58) - Long working hours and very low level of happiness.

• United States (#59) - Does not have a nationally guaranteed paid leave system.

• Nigeria (#60) - The country with the worst work-life balance due to security problems and limited worker leave rights.

• Russia (#42) - Low level of inclusivity and moderate level of happiness.

• Turkey (#48) - Security factors, low happiness, and limited employee benefits.