Work-Life Balance Statistics By Working Hours, Country, Industry, Generation, Burnout and Facts

Introduction

Work-Life Balance Statistics: Work-life balance is an important topic that affects many people around the world. It refers to the ability to manage both professional and personal responsibilities in a way that is healthy and sustainable. Statistics show that many individuals struggle to achieve a good balance between work and personal life. In some cases, long working hours, stress, and lack of time for family or hobbies negatively impact health and well-being.

Current statistics and data from various insights have shown that employees with a better work-life balance are happier, more productive, and have lower levels of stress. Understanding this can help employers create healthier work environments and encourage employees to take better care of their personal lives. Finding a balance is essential for long-term happiness and success.

Editor’s Choice

• Work-Life Balance Statistics show that around 60% of employees report having a healthy work-life balance.
• Besides, 67% of employees with a positive work-life balance attribute it to remote work opportunities.
• Similarly, almost 33% of employees with a healthy work-life balance are likely to remain loyal to their current company.
• As of 2024, approximately 44% of American employees have a work-life balance, despite 69% calling it “very important.”
• 71% of UK employees rate work-life balance as the main driver of job satisfaction, ahead of their salaries.
• 57% of Spanish employees value work-life balance over promotions or higher salaries.
• Moreover, 55% of Australians report feeling happy at work, with workplace happiness being a significant factor in employment decisions.
• Work-Life Balance Statistics revealed that women are more likely than men to delay promotions or handle unexpected childcare issues.
• Working more than 50 hours per week is linked to increased risks for anxiety and depression.
• 78% of remote workers would be willing to change jobs for a better work-life balance.

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General Work-Life Balance Statistics

• In the United States of America, almost 66% of people struggle with maintaining a work-life balance.
• Nearly 48% of Americans admit to being workaholics, and 77% have experienced burnout at work.
• In comparison, the U.S. ranks 29th out of 41 countries due to long working hours and limited parental leave.

(Source: lifehackmethod.com)

• Despite this, in 2024, 94% believe that work-life balance is important.
• 73% of people consider balance a key factor when looking for a job, and 61% say they wouldn’t accept a job that negatively affects their balance.
• As mentioned in Work-Life Balance Statistics, almost 48% of workers would quit if their job made it hard to enjoy their personal life.
• Italy is known for having the best work-life balance, with only 3% of employees working over 50 hours per week.

(Source: ctfassets.net)

• 93% say work-life balance is just as important as salary. Additionally, 41% of people would turn down a job if it negatively affected their work-life balance.
• When considering future jobs, 57% prioritize work-life balance over higher pay.
• Many employees, 60%, believe their personal life matters more than their job.
• Nearly half, 48%, would quit a job if it took away from their time.
• Also, 51% would stay in a job they enjoy even without career growth if it supports their work-life balance.
• 37% made lifestyle changes, like moving homes, assuming remote work would continue.
• Finally, 35% of people would leave their jobs if it didn’t let them keep the work-life balance they want.

Work-Life Balance Statistics Based on Working Hours

• By the end of 2024, around 43% of employees want to change their working hours to improve their work-life balance.
• 17% prefer to adjust their commute times to improve balance.
• 12% wish to stop working beyond regular hours, while 11% want to be paid for overtime.
• Besides, 8% wanted to change their office environment due to overworking hours.
• Work-Life Balance Statistics states employees working 55 or more hours a week have 1.66 times higher chances of depression.
• Due to long working hours, 66% of people skip at least one meal each day.
• Around 40% of full-time workers spend over 50 hours working each week.

U.S. Workaholics Statistics

• Work-Life Balance Statistics show that 48% of Americans see themselves as workaholics.
• As of 2024, common behaviors include prioritizing work (54%) and worrying about it on days off (51%).
• Many work on vacation (50%) or check emails late at night (48%).
• Some arrive at work first and leave last (46%).

Work-Life Balance Ranking Statistics by Country

(Reference: remote.com)

• In 2024, New Zealand topped the list with a score of 80.76, offering a great mix of work and free time.
• Ireland came second with a score of 77.89, creating a balanced work environment for its people.
• Belgium shared third place with Denmark, both scoring 73.45 and offering favorable conditions for work-life balance.
• Denmark, also in third place with a score of 73.45, is known for supporting a healthy work-life mix.
• Canada ranked fourth, accounting for a score of 72.75, ensuring its residents enjoy a well-rounded lifestyle.
• Furthermore, other countries’ Work-Life Balance score is followed by Germany (71.84), Finland (71.35), Norway (70.85), and Spain (70.60).

The table below shows the top 10 countries with the worst work-life balance score in 2024:

By Industry

• The 2024 Work-Life Balance Statistics stated that in the professional services industry, 94% of employees typically work around 50 hours each week.
• For example, consultants often work an extra 9.3 hours every week without extra pay.

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Work-Life Balance on Remote Work Statistics

• A large majority, 91%, of employees prefer working from home to achieve a better balance between work and life.
• Remote work also helps reduce burnout (36%) and anxiety (34%) and improves personal relationships (23%).
• Additionally, 90% of remote workers believe it positively affects their physical health.
• Work-Life Balance Statistics show that remote workers report being 22% happier compared to office-based employees.
• About 67% say their work-life balance improved after switching to remote work.
• Interestingly, remote workers tend to work 40 hours or more per week, even more than those working in offices.
• Mental health has improved for 93% of remote workers, with 48% experiencing less stress.

Gender and Generation of Work-Life Balance Statistics

• Around 78% of women view it as crucial when searching for a job, while 67% of men share the same sentiment.
• Interestingly, women in hybrid work setups experienced even more burnout (38%) than those in remote-only (31%) or office settings (34%).
• On the other hand, 97% of women worry that asking for it could negatively affect their chances of promotion.
• Additionally, even when they do receive flexible work arrangements, 95% feel their workload is not adjusted accordingly.
• The lack of flexibility and work-life balance are major reasons why 14% of women leave their jobs, surpassing the impact of toxic workplaces (11%) and limited career advancement (10%).
• Workers aged 18 to 20 are 29% more likely to experience burnout than those over 30, with nearly half of 18- to 20-year-olds reporting it.
• Work-Life Balance Statistics depict that middle managers, especially, face high burnout rates, with 43% of them at risk, more than other employee levels.
• In terms of unpaid labour, women contribute significantly more than men, USD 10,341 per year versus USD 3,909.
• Millennials and Gen Z also emphasize work-life balance, rating it highly compared to older generations.
• About 75% of millennials and 77% of Gen Z employees would consider quitting if forced to return to the office full-time by the end of 2024.

Impact of Poor Work-Life Balance Statistics

• As of 2024, 40% of people said a poor work-life balance ruins their time with family and friends.
• Going over 55 hours weekly can increase the likelihood of stroke by 35% and heart disease by 17%.
• Additionally, working over 50 hours is connected to higher anxiety and depression risks.
• Employees with poor work-life balance are 2.6 times more likely to seek new jobs due to burnout.
• The most common issues include damaging family bonds (49%), friendships (47%), and health (38%).

Work-Life Balance Statistics by Burnout

• In the U.S., burnout is the leading cause of job departures, costing the economy around USD 300 billion annually.
• Teachers alone account for USD 7 billion of this loss.
• In 2024, around 70% of employees feel their employers are not doing enough to prevent burnout.
• Unfair treatment at work can increase the risk of burnout by more than twice, making individuals 2.3 times more likely to experience it.
• Burnout contributes to a 40% turnover rate, which harms company retention.
• About 24% of workers believe flexible work arrangements and improved work-life balance could help prevent burnout. Additionally, 44% attribute burnout to overwhelming workloads.

Top Barriers to Health Work-Life Balance Statistics

(Reference: hubstaff.com)

• In recent years, about 32.8% of people said that trying to be perfect personally is the main reason for their work-life imbalance.
• Company culture and burnout are the next biggest challenges, affecting 24.2% and 16% of workers worldwide, respectively.
• Other factors include the nature of the job (13.8%) and issues with bosses or supervisors (13.2%).

Positive Impacts of Technology on Work-Life Balance Statistics

• A significant 74% of IT professionals reported that their companies offer remote work options, facilitating a better work-life balance.
• According to a KPMG US survey, 50% of the respondents believe that automation, including AI, has enhanced their professional capabilities,
• Meanwhile, another 50% expected it to create new career opportunities.
• Around 70% use automation tools weekly, and 30% use them daily, indicating growing comfort with AI integration.
• A study by Amazon and MIT suggests that automation and AI could save Australian workers approximately 245 hours annually, enhancing job satisfaction and work-life balance.

Sustainable Initiatives of Work-Life Statistics

• Remote Work Flexibility: A study found that working from home just one day a month can make employees 24% happier and more productive.
• Wellness Programs: Approximately 51% of employers with 50 or more employees offer some wellness program aiming to improve employee health and satisfaction.
• Employee Preferences: 56% of employees prefer work-life balance over a pay raise, indicating a strong desire for flexible working conditions.
• Productivity Gains: Companies that implement work-life balance initiatives report higher productivity, resulting in 85% of such businesses increase in employee output.
• Work-Life Balance Importance: Similarly, 94% of workers believe that work-life balance is essential, reflecting its critical role in overall job satisfaction.

Conclusion

Work-life balance is all about managing time and energy between work and personal life. It helps reduce stress, improve health, and make you happier. Setting clear boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and taking breaks are some important steps to achieve work balance within a global organization.

As we all know, spending quality time with family and friends, pursuing hobbies, and resting are just as vital as work, so proper management is beneficial. Remember, balance isn’t about perfection but finding what works best for you to lead a healthier, more fulfilling life.