Eurostat’s data reveals that in 2022, the typical workweek for individuals aged 20-64 in the European Union was 37.5 hours.
Significant differences in work hours become apparent when comparing European Union member countries.
Within the European Union, substantial variations in work hours are evident. Greece, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria reported some of the longest workweeks, each exceeding the EU average. Greece, for instance, recorded an impressive 41.0-hour workweek,.
Conversely, several European nations had much shorter workweeks than the EU average.
Conversely, the Netherlands had the shortest workweek among EU member states, with just 33.2 hours of weekly work. Germany and Denmark also reported shorter work hours than the EU average.
The Baltic States, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, demonstrated unique work patterns. Lithuania had the longest workweek at 39.2 hours, followed by Latvia at 39 hours. Estonia adopted a slightly shorter workweek at 38 hours, showing slight differences within the Baltic region.
While the average workweek in the European Union was 37.5 hours, significant variations existed among member countries. These disparities reflect diverse approaches to work and life priorities in Europe.