What European country has the best work-leisure balance?

Denmark has the best work-leisure balance in Europe, according to a new study by Galaxsys.

The study analysed work hours, employment rates, productivity, and leisure activities across 27 European countries to examine how citizens balance their work and leisure time, and found that Danish citizens, who work on average 29 hours per week and have high regular engagement with cultural sites (54%) and cinemas (52%), have the best balance between work and entertainment.

As it noted, close to one third of Danes regularly attend sporting events, and are also big spenders on streaming services and gaming, with a per capita spend of €1,574 per person.

In second place is the Netherlands, where citizens work 27 hours per week on average, and one in eight (12%) eat out regularly. Dutch consumers also have high participation in cuisine, sports, and live performances.

Ireland ranks third, with the highest productivity index score in Europe (145), which means that they accomplish more in less time than any other country in Europe. More than 40% of Irish citizens attend movies regularly, as well as attending sporting events.

Luxembourg places fourth, with citizens working 32-hour weeks, and half the population engaging in live cultural performances and going to the cinema. In fifth place, meanwhile, is Estonia, where citizens work 31 hours per week, with the country boasting a high productivity index score (117), and strong attendance at cinemas, cultural sites, and concerts.

Balancing work and leisure

“Northern Europeans have always had a reputation for being hardworking and disciplined,” commented Hayk Sargsyan, CEO at Galaxsys. “But our study shows that they’re not sacrificing entertainment to achieve that. People usually associate Southern Europe with festivals, dining out, and having a good time.

“However, when it comes to finding the balance between work and leisure, it turns out Northerners like Danes, Dutch, and Irish are doing it better.”

The study examined how countries across Europe balance work and leisure by combining several measurable factors into a single score from 1 to 99. On the ‘work’ side, employment rates, average working hours, and productivity levels were among the factors assessed, while on the ‘leisure’ side, visits to restaurants, cinemas, and cultural sites were tracked, as well as spending on digital entertainment such as streaming platforms and online gaming.

Work–Leisure Balance by EU Member State

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