The number of days off in different countries. How long does vacation last in different countries of the world (21 photos)

In Russia, compulsory leave is 28 calendar days, 20 of which are workers, and another 14 days a year are holidays. In total, Russians have 34 days of rest a year. If you are interested in finding out how things are with vacations in other countries of the world, then rather check out this post.

You can count on such a length of vacation with a five-day working week, with a six-day vacation lasts already 30 days. And after 25 years of work in one place, it increases by another five.

The rhythm of Greek life is so unhurried and calm that sometimes the Greeks are accused of laziness. However, not entirely deserved. They have less vacation than in many other European countries: with a five-day working week - 20 working days, with a six-day working week - 24.

Finland

The length of leave for an ordinary employee in Finland depends on the length of service. By law, if he works for less than one year, he earns two days of vacation for each month. After a year, the rate increases to two and a half days.

It will not be possible to receive monetary compensation instead of vacation. In Spain, this is prohibited by labor law. It also prohibits the transfer of vacation to the next year. Didn't want to rest in due date- your problems. Unfavored days burn out.

United Kingdom

Residents of the UK know their own worth and when applying for a job, they are sure to ask not only about the salary, but also about the length of vacation in the company. The minimum paid vacation is 28 working days. But there are still eight days official holidays... The trick is that the employer has the right not to add holidays to the vacation, but to include them in it. So, someone rests 36 days a year (in addition to weekends), and someone - 28. And no violation of the law!

When calculating vacation in France, it is taken into account how many hours an employee works per week. Workers who choose 39-hour workweeks instead of the standard 35-hour workweek are entitled to two additional weeks of vacation.

On July 1, 2017, a new Labor Code... Now one part of the vacation must be at least ten working days. The remaining ten can be taken as you like - at least one day at a time. Moreover, 20 working days is the minimum vacation period for those who work five days a week. Those who work six days a week have more vacation - 24 working days.

Residents of Lithuania who have behind their shoulders long experience, changes are only good. Now after ten years continuous experience the employee has three working days in addition to the vacation instead of three calendar days. And for every five subsequent years - one more working day.

For each month worked, the employee is entitled to 2.08 vacation days. In just a year, there are 25 working days. Of these, five can be taken not entirely, but divided one day at a time. For example, do not work on Mondays for five weeks in a row.

Despite the fact that the law sets a minimum length of vacation, Japanese workaholics rarely adhere to it. Resting is considered bad form. Most often, the Japanese vacation lasts five to six days. The locals make up for the lack of sleep throughout the year. The only reason that can make the Japanese rest is a national holiday.

In August, the life of Italians is completely calm. The first vacationers flock to the beaches in the early days of the month, and on August 15, when the national holiday Ferragosto is celebrated, the official vacation period begins. At this time, cities literally die out. Even factories don't work! And on the doors of shops and restaurants, there is often a sign: "Closed for the duration of the holidays."

Australia

The length of vacation in Australia is the same as in Russia. But there are fewer holidays. Moreover, each state has its own holidays, even national ones are often celebrated on different days.

Argentina

Argentina is the leader in terms of the number of holidays. Moreover, if the holiday falls on a weekend, it is postponed to the next working day. Perhaps as a token of compensation a large number holidays in the country decided to make short-lived. However, it only lasts ten working days if seniority in one place is less than five years. After this period, the vacation is increased to 15 days, after 10 years - up to 20 days, and after 20 - up to 25 days.

Germany

According to German law, every employee is entitled to leave of 20 working days for a five-day working week and 24 for a six-day working week. This is an iron minimum. But employers often add to this. On average, employees are given 25-29 days a year to rest.

The number of holidays depends on the area. The legislation states that the declaration of days off falls within the competence of the Länder. An exception is the Day of German Unity, which falls on October 3. Eight more holidays are celebrated in all 16 states. Further - where is how. For example, the inhabitants of Bavaria celebrate the Day of St. Epiphany, the Body and Blood of Christ and the Day of the Reformation, while the inhabitants of Thuringia celebrate only the Day of the Reformation.

Netherlands

Residents of the Netherlands do not prepare in advance for the holidays, but for the funeral: every year in this country, on a day off, one day is given for the funeral of members royal family... If no one has died, it is added to the vacation. By the way, the Day of the King (or Queen, depending on who is on the throne at the moment) is the only holiday that is postponed if it falls on a weekend.

South Korea

As in many other Asian countries, it is customary to work hard in South Korea. But it is not customary to rest. A small vacation and that is crushed. A vacation of 20 working days, as in Russia, is an unthinkable luxury by Korean standards. It is not customary to get sick in South Korea either. Due to illness, it is allowed to skip only one day a month, and even then at the expense of vacation. The sick leave is paid only if the person was in the hospital.

Since January 1, 2017, the minimum vacation period has increased from 10 to 12 days. This is the first increase since 1951. 12 days of vacation will now be received by employees who have worked in the company on a five-day work week for less than five years. With a six-day working week and work experience of less than five years, the vacation will be 16 days. Having worked in the company for five years, an employee can count on the fact that every year his vacation will increase by one or two days.

Singapore

In the first year of work, it makes no sense to wait for a vacation lasting more than seven working days. Then every year the employee is added one day until he gets 14. The Russians can only wonder how, with such a short vacation, Singaporeans manage to take some days off. However, in the country of fines, very much is really impossible - officially and not so much.

During the first ten years of work, the vacation is five days, then ten, and after 20 years - 15. But even from such a short vacation, many Chinese people refuse to earn extra money. They rest, like the Japanese, on holidays, many of which last for several days.

Status public holidays have Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday. The rest are regional. Therefore, the total number of holidays varies by state.

The length of the vacation is highly dependent on seniority. Beginners are out of luck. They have only six days to rest. After four years of work in one enterprise, the vacation period is increased by two weeks, after five years of experience, two more days are added for every five subsequent years.

The United States is one of the few countries where leave is treated as a privilege, thanks to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. It regulates the maximum number of working hours per week, overtime work, minimum size wages, but does not mention a word about paid leave.

Therefore, the Americans are not legally entitled to leave. The decision on its duration and payment is made by the employers themselves. But even those Americans who have paid vacations from companies find it difficult to take it. The principle of work culture is that people are afraid to rest, as they can get the stigma of quitters. Attempts to change the situation have been made for several years, but so far they have failed.

Record holders for the number of official holidays non-working days of the year is Sri Lanka (24 days). In a whole group of countries, citizens do not officially work 21 days a year - these are Bhutan, Brazil, the Virgin Islands, Iran, Maldives, Puerto Rico, San Marino. In India, they rest 18 days a year, in South Korea - 17, in Japan - 15. In developed Christian countries, the average number of holidays ranges from 11-13 (13 in Germany, 12 in Italy, 11 in the USA).

According to UNESCO, the average country annually gives holidays 12.2 days, while for industrialized countries this figure is 12.4, for developing countries - 12.1.

The most "resting" region of the planet is the Caribbean, where citizens do not work on average (excluding weekly weekends) 14, 4 days a year. The most "hard-working" region is North America, where they rest on average only 10.5 days.

In addition to official days off, many countries have periods of downturn in business activity - for example, in Christian countries it is traditionally a period of Christmas holidays, and in Russia (11 public holidays) and the CIS countries there are also May holidays. In Brazil, for example, business activity freezes for almost the entire period of Lent, when the population goes on vacation together, and school holidays are arranged for children.

In countries where several religions are widespread, citizens (apparently out of solidarity) celebrate the holidays not only of their own, but also of other religions. It is this tradition that makes Sri Lanka the leader in the number of days off. In India, this practice is even associated with a legislative restriction on the maximum number of non-working days allowed for an employee: the majority has the right to choose two out of 24 so-called “limited” holidays in accordance with their nationality or religious affiliation. And there are only five national holidays in this country.

The high religiosity of the citizens of Bhutan brings this small state to one of the first places in the "rating of vacationers" - with the only secular holiday (the King's birthday), the remaining 20 days are occupied by religious celebrations. Each of Saudi Arabia's two official public holidays (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adh) interrupts the working rhythm in the country for about 10 days. And in Puerto Rico, in almost every city, the celebration in honor of the patron saint of this settlement lasts an average of 10 days. In many Christian countries, additional weekends are added to great holidays, mainly for Easter.

Least of all are citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, where the number of holidays ranges from six on Chuuk Island to nine on Pohnpei Island. In Cuba, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe, public holidays are officially eight days of the year, in the UK, Vietnam, Djibouti, Cape Verde, Laos, Macedonia, Romania and Yugoslavia - nine days.

Here is a list of public holidays and weekends in selected countries.

Germany:

Variable date holiday-Easter

May 1 - Workers' Day

May 21 - Ascension

June 1 - Spiritual Day

August 15 - Desolation

Italy:

Variable date holiday- Easter Monday

First Sunday in June- Day of the Proclamation of the Republic

USA:

Third Monday in January -
Martin Luther King Day

Third Monday in February-
President's Day

Last Monday in May-Memorial Day

First Monday in September-Labor Day

Second Monday in October-Columbus Day

Fourth Thursday of November- Thanksgiving Day

Japan:

Second Monday in January- Day of majority

Second Monday in October-
Health and Sports Day

When preparing the certificate, materials of the publishing house "Kommersant" and a number of regional and tourist sites ( ("Sakura petals"), Germany.ru, Travel.ru, Tournews.ru, etc.).

Working leave: 28 days

Public Holidays: 12 days

Total rest days: 40

Such a long non-working period in 2013 for the Russians was ensured by the government decree "On the transfer of days off in 2013". According to the decree, January 5 and 6, as days off, are postponed to the beginning of the May holidays, and Saturday, February 23, you can walk on May 10. Back in February 2012, President Vladimir Putin proposed to increase May holidays by reducing New Year's, but so far this decision has not been formalized.

Losses: What are the economic losses from such long holidays? The Ministry of Labor has estimated the decline in GDP for just one holiday at about 12-14 billion rubles. For comparison: in 2011, losses from the New Year holidays amounted to 600-700 billion rubles.

Celebrating: There are eight public holidays in Russia, which are officially days off. In winter it New Year and Defender of the Fatherland Day, summer is Russia Day, autumn is Day national unity... The richest holiday season in Russia is spring. At this time, International Women's Day, Spring and Labor Day and Victory Day are celebrated. The widely celebrated religious holidays - Christmas and Easter - are not official days off, but the population rests these days: Christmas falls on New Year's holidays, and Easter falls on Sunday.

If Russia followed the example of European countries and made religious holidays official (Easter, Ascension or All Saints' Day), then we would have firmly settled on the first position in the ranking of the most "lazy" countries for several years to come.

Working leave: 24 days

Public Holidays: 12 days

Total rest days: 36

Celebrating: Over the past forty years, Italians have abandoned many of the religious holidays that used to be considered public holidays. But, even despite this, today Italy more often than all other countries notes catholic holidays rest: of the 12 official holidays in Italy, seven are church holidays. These include January Epiphany and the Monday after Easter, called Angel's Day. In the fall, the Feast of All Saints (November 1) falls, in the winter - the Day of the Immaculate Conception, Christmas and St. Stephen's Day. In addition, various regions of Italy celebrate the days of their own saints, which in this area are equivalent to an official public holiday. On such a day, all government offices, banks and most shops are closed, and transport runs on a Sunday schedule.

Working leave: 25 days

Public Holidays: 11 days

Total rest days: 36

Celebrating: Sweden is one of the countries with 25 days of work leave (apart from Brazil and Russia, such leave is one of the longest). Here public holidays are almost equally divided into religious and state holidays. Locals celebrate June 6 as the National Day of Sweden (until 1983 it was called the Day of the Swedish Flag). Moreover, this holiday became an official day off only in 2005, for which it was necessary to make the working day of a religious holiday - the Day of the Holy Spirit. This action caused discontent among the population. Therefore, the government gave the Swedes an additional eight hours of rest, which they can use on any day at their discretion. It is curious that among the official dates in Sweden there is also the ancient pagan holiday of the summer solstice - Midsummer (June 26). From the point of view of tradition, it is similar to Russian day Ivan Kupala, although the latter was never considered an official holiday.

4. Finland

Working leave: 25 days

Public Holidays: 10 days

Total rest days: 35

Celebrating: In Finland, all the traditional dates fall into the number of public holidays: from winter they are New Year, Christmas, Epiphany, in spring - Easter, in autumn - All Saints' Day. May Day is also an official day off, but due to the fact that it coincides with the local pre-Christian holiday of Wappu. Pagan holiday made Christian by dedicating it to the Catholic saint Walpurgis. This day is also considered a student's day: freshmen wear multi-colored overalls made of waterproof fabric - "halari" (traditional student uniforms in Finland, has more than 30 colors depending on the institute and faculty), and freshmen still wear white caps.

5. France

Working leave: 25 days

Public Holidays: 10 days

Total rest days: 35

Celebrating: In France, the most important official holidays are Christmas, the Day of the Assumption of the Virgin (August 15), Bastille Day (July 14), Easter. The French, like the Russians, celebrate the New Year, the eve of the holiday is called St. Sylvester. On this day, it is customary to gather with families and friends, but the celebration itself, as a rule, takes place outside the walls of the house. All Saints' Day is also celebrated here on November 1, during which it is customary to remember all deceased relatives. This holiday is partly similar to Russian Parents' Day, but in our country it is not an official holiday. On May 1, the French celebrate Labor Day (during which it is customary to give lilies of the valley to each other), May 8 is the Day of Liberation from the Nazis, Catholic Pentecost is also considered a public holiday, this year it falls on May 19.

6. Norway

Working leave: 25 days

Public Holidays: 10 days

Total rest days: 35

Celebrating: There are 10 official public holidays in Norway, including Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, May Day, New Year. The main national holiday here is the Constitution Day, which is also called Independence Day (May 17). On this day, schoolchildren in national clothes go out on festive processions; in Oslo, the royal family goes to the balcony of the royal palace to greet the processions passing by.

7. Brazil

Working leave: 30 days

Public Holidays: 5 days

Total rest days: 35

Celebrating: Brazil holds the record for the longest working leave. In this country, it is 30 days. Along with other countries, Easter, Christmas, Apparition of the Virgin (October 12), All Saints' Day (November 1) are also official public holidays. Business card There are carnivals in Brazil, which are also included in the number of official public holidays. They take place 40 days before Easter and open the beginning of Lent. Carnivals associated with pagan traditions in Christianity began to symbolize farewell to carnal pleasures.

Working leave: 25 days

Public Holidays: 9 days

Total rest days: 34

Celebrating: Despite the fact that the Danes celebrate all the same holidays as many other countries - Easter, Christmas, May Day, Constitution Day - they have acquired their own unique traditions. For example, on the Day of Liberation of Denmark from German troops, which is celebrated annually on May 5, residents put up lighted candles on the windowsills of their houses. This is exactly what the Danes did on May 5, 1945, without negotiating. The tradition of celebrating the feast of St. Martin on November 11 is also unusual: on this day, fried goose is served on the table. According to legend, the humble saint did not want to become a bishop, but his whereabouts were revealed by the geese who sought him out. For this they are fried every year.

9.Spain

Working leave: 22 days

Public Holidays: 12 days

Total rest days: 34

Celebrating: The Spaniards remain faithful to Catholicism and every year they celebrate a series of religious holidays: from winter they are the Epiphany, the Immaculate Conception and Christmas, from spring and summer - Holy Week, the Day of St. Joseph and the Apostle James. There are also secular holidays: May Day, New Year and Constitution Day (December 6). The once great maritime power of Spain owes its history to Columbus Day (also the Day of Spanish Civilization, or the Day of the Discovery of America), which is celebrated on October 12.

10. Colombia

Working leave: 15 days

Public Holidays: 18 days

Total rest days: 33

Celebrating: Residents of the Republic of Colombia, named after the famous traveler, love to relax: they have as many as 18 public holidays (second in the number of public holidays after Argentina). Most of them, 12 dates, are associated with Catholicism. Plus, the locals, just like the Spaniards, love Columbus and on November 12 they dedicate the eponymous holiday to him. Despite similar views with the Spaniards on the role of Columbus, the Colombians were happy to free themselves from the patronage of the European crown and in honor of this, every year on July 20, they celebrate Independence Day.

11. New Zealand

Working leave: 20 days

Public Holidays: 11 days

Total rest days: 31

Celebrating: The homeland of "The Hobbit" boasts not only beautiful natural views, but also non-standard holidays: for example, Christmas and New Year are held here among greenery and summer sun... Here, as in England and many other countries of the British Commonwealth, the birthday of the Queen of England is celebrated. This date falls on the first Monday of June, from this day the ski season begins. New Zealand took over from England not only the tradition of celebrating the Queen's birthday, but every year on December 26, they celebrate Boxing day, or, in Russian, Boxing Day.

In addition, the home of the "Hobbit" is also the home of slippers, so every second December local residents celebrate "Day of the slippers." True, this funny holiday has not yet become official.

12. Australia

Working leave: 20 days

Public Holidays: 10 days

Total rest days: 30

Celebrating: Australia is another country of "inverted" holidays: New Years and Christmas are celebrated in hot summers. But these are not all the features. Australian Holidays, other than national holidays, are declared at the state and territory levels. National dates include the already named New Year and Christmas, as well as Australia Day (January 26), when Captain Arthur Philip founded the first colony here, Easter. The Queen's birthday is celebrated by Australians on the second Monday of June (the date is timed to coincide with the beginning of the ski season). In Western Australia, Her Majesty's birthday coincides with the founding day of Western Australia itself, so the locals calculate the date of the holiday in their own way (there is no fixed day). And just like New Zealanders, Australians love to throw away Christmas gift boxes, which is why they celebrate December 26, Boxing day.

13. Argentina

Working leave: 10 days

Public Holidays: 19 days

Total rest days: 29

Celebrating: In its love of holidays, Argentina has overtaken Colombia and became the record holder of this list for the number of state holidays: Argentines celebrate and, accordingly, rest for 19 days. The local list is similar to the list of holidays in Spain, the former ruler of South America: October 12 Columbus Day, also Christmas, Easter, New Year, May Day. Every year on June 20, Argentines celebrate National Flag Day: on this day in 1820, the author of the white-blue canvas, Manuel Belgrano, died. Another national holiday - August 17 - is the anniversary of the memory of the hero of the struggle for independence from the Spanish colonialists, General San Martin. In Argentina, he is revered almost like a saint: the general is buried in the main cathedral of Buenos Aires, grenadiers are on duty near the grave.

14. Germany

Working leave: 20 days

Public Holidays: 9 days

Total rest days: 29

Celebrating: Official holidays in Germany are not much different from the holidays of neighbors: in winter they celebrate the New Year, Epiphany, in the spring - Easter, in the fall - All Saints' Day. Unofficial holidays are much more curious: various festivals have gained immense popularity. This is the autumn Oktoberfest (starting this year on September 21) - a holiday of beer, and with it sausages and cabbage, in which about 6 million people took part last year; the spring festival of lights and fireworks "Rhine Lights" on 4 May; July 14 - Summer Technoparade "Love Parade".

15. Ireland

Working leave: 20 days

Public Holidays: 9 days

Total rest days: 29

Celebrating: Ireland has infected the whole world with the belief in green clover and made everyone celebrate their national holiday on March 17 - St. Patrick's Day. On this day, it is customary to walk in green clothes, and mythical leprechauns, the Irish flag and the three-leaf clover (the symbol of the church trinity) are considered the symbols of the holiday, although now the four-leafed clover is most often depicted. Irish holidays are a mixture of Christianity and paganism: February 2 is the day of Saint Brigitte, or Imbolc, May 1 is Beltane holiday (the same Walpurgis night), and on October 31, Samhain's night is celtic holiday the end of the harvest.

16. Switzerland

Working leave: 20 days

Public Holidays: 9 days

Total rest days: 29

Celebrating: The Swiss are an independent and self-reliant people, therefore each of its cantons in the country determines its own holidays. Only four dates have won the right to become federal holidays common to all cantons: Switzerland's National Day on August 1, Christmas, Ascension and New Years. On August 1, during the Swiss National Day, residents decorate their homes with federal and municipal flags, and in the evening everyone goes out with lanterns and fireworks. Many cantons also celebrate Easter, Boxing Day (December 26), Good Friday (March 29) and Holy Trinity Day (50th day after Easter).

17.UK

Working leave: 20 days

Public Holidays: 8 days

Total rest days: 28

Celebrating: The UK, like all other countries, celebrates Christmas, New Years, Boxing Day (26 December) and May Day. In addition to traditional holidays The British are resting on Spring Festival - the last Monday in May. On this day, the streets are decorated with garlands of flowers, festivities... Another unusual public holiday is August Rest Day, which is celebrated on the last Monday in August. As a rule, many people leave the city at this time for picnics or go to seaside towns.

18.South Korea

Working leave: 15 days

Public Holidays: 12 days

Total rest days: 27

Celebrating: In South Korea, there is no practice to transfer holidays that fall on a day off to weekdays. Therefore, the holidays here are treated with reverence and attention. Chuseok is celebrated on September 3 - the full moon holiday. On All Saints Day (November 1), Koreans visit the graves of their loved ones. The celebration itself takes place in the home of the oldest relatives. Another unusual public holiday on April 5 is Tree Planting Day. On this day, many residents work in their garden.

19. Netherlands

Working leave: 20 days

Public Holidays: 7 days

Total rest days: 27

Celebrating: Residents of the Netherlands do not prepare in advance for the holidays, but for the funeral: every year in this country, at the weekend, one day is set aside for the funeral of members of the royal family; if no one has died, then this day is simply added to the vacation, and the scheduled school hours are canceled. The rest of the local population is no different from the rest: they celebrate the New Year, Easter, Christmas and the Ascension of the Lord.

Working leave: 21 days

Public Holidays: 5 days

Total rest days: 26

Celebrating: The number of holidays in India is enormous. Religious, state and folk holidays in this country are "mixed" with each other. The dates of the holidays change every year, as many of them are calculated according to the lunar or religious calendars. Plus the mixing of different religions contributes to the dates of the festivities. Despite such an abundance, there are only three official national holidays: Indian Independence Day (August 15), Republic Day (January 26, associated with the adoption of the Constitution) and Gandhi's Birthday (October 2). Gandhi's birthday has also been proclaimed by the UN General Assembly as the International Day of Non-Violence.

According to a study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (), Mexico is the most hardworking country in the world, employing 2,246 hours a year. This, frankly, is an unexpected result, because it is generally believed that Latin Americans do not like to work.

Meanwhile, every year the citizens of Mexico have to work harder. So, in 2015, every Mexican worked on average 18 hours more than in 2014. According to The World Factbook, 61.9% of Mexicans are employed in services, 24.1% in industry, 13.4% in agriculture, and the average annual real wage (calculated in purchasing power parity) for a Mexican citizen is $ 14,867.

Despite the hard working days, Mexico ranks next to last in terms of the amount of rest: vacation in Mexico for a year worked is only six days. Only the Filipinos have less rest: the vacation there lasts five days.

In addition, Mexico has 15 public holidays, including New Year, Constitution Day and Flag Day, during which residents of the country do not work.

In second place is the geographical neighbor of Mexico - Costa Rica. Costa Ricans work just 16 hours less per year than Mexicans. And a few years ago, the primacy of workaholism belonged to the Costa Ricans.

It is worth noting that thanks to this diligence in 2000-2013, the country's GDP grew by 4.5% per year. Most Costa Ricans - 64% - are employed in the service sector, 22% in industry and only 14% in agriculture. Thanks to hard work, Costa Rica has practically managed to overcome poverty: only 12% of the country's population lives below the poverty line, although the average for the region is not less than 50%.

Holidays with Costa Ricans, unlike Mexicans, are fine. According to the country's constitution, every worker has the right to one day of rest after six consecutive days of work and to annual paid leave, the duration and duration of which is regulated by law, but which in no case should be less than two weeks for every 50 weeks worked continuously. Moreover, Costa Rica has 16 public holidays, during which citizens also rest.

South Korea closes the top three workaholic countries with 2113 working hours per year. But Koreans spent 11 hours less on work in 2015 than in 2014, according to the OECD.

However, despite the reduced work schedule, more than 2,000 hours a year for a high-tech economy is quite a lot, given the fact that more than a quarter of Koreans work ten or more hours a day.

It should be noted that the average annual real salary of a resident of South Korea is $ 33,110. At the same time, most of the population - 70.2% - is employed in the service sector, 24.2% - in industry, and 5.7% - in agriculture.

For the sake of a career, Koreans ignore family and labor laws: a six-day work week is more the norm here than the exception, and a short vacation is only three days a year, instead of the 10 days required by law.

There are only 13 public holidays: citizens of the Republic of Korea have a rest not only on New Year, but also on Children's Day, Memorial Day (in memory of those who died in the struggle for independence or on military service) and on Constitution Day.

Greeks don't sleep

Perhaps the main surprise of the OECD study can be considered the fact that the fourth place was taken by Greece - a country whose inhabitants in Europe are considered almost the main lazy people of the continent.

In fact, the Greeks work 2042 hours a year. And every year the citizens of Greece have to work harder. So, in 2015, each Greek worked on average 16 hours more than in 2014, and the average annual real salary of a Greek citizen is $ 25,211.

In Greece, they work an average of 43.7 hours per week. According to The World Factbook, 72.4% of workers are employed in the service sector, 15% in industry, and 12.6% in agriculture.

Holidays for the Greeks lasts 20 days, but they are more fortunate with public holidays than other hardworking countries: there are as many as 18 of them in Greece. In addition to the classic New Year holidays and Labor Day, Greeks also rest on the Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the Independence Day of Greece ...

The top five workers are closed by the Chileans with 1988 hours a year. Official leave in Chile lasts 15 days. Exactly so many public holidays - days off in the country. Among them are not only Christmas and Independence Day, but also Labor Day, All Saints Day, Army Day and even Corpus Christi.

Russia follows the Chileans (1978 hours a year). At the same time, in the crisis year of 2015, each resident of Russia worked on average seven hours less than in 2014. However, Russians clearly do not like to recycle: only 0.2% of residents worked more than they should.

It is not surprising that most of the population is employed in the service sector: 63% of workers, 27.6% in industry and only 9.4% in agriculture. At the same time, the average monthly accrued wage in 2015, according to estimates, amounted to RUB 33,925.

It should be noted that there is a rather long vacation in Russia: 28 calendar days. Moreover, for some citizens, an extended rest is provided. So, employees have a rest for 30 calendar days, minors - 31 days, and employees of professional emergency rescue services and units have the right to rest up to 40 days, depending on the length of service.

To all this are added another 14 public holidays - non-working days. Moreover, none of the above countries have New Year's holidays, as in Russia.

Relaxed Europeans

Oddly enough, according to the OECD, the recognized economic leader of Europe and the world - Germany - is not at all a champion in working hours. The Germans work much less than both the Greeks and the Russians - an average of 1,371 hours per year.

In terms of a working week, this is only 26.3 hours. The service sector employs 74% of workers, in the industry - about 25%. Least of all Germans are employed in agriculture: just over 1%, according to The World Factbook.

Moreover, the number of vacation days in Germany is one of the largest: employees can rest 30 days a year. This is stated in the report of the European Fund for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.

But the number of public holidays here depends on the lands themselves (the so-called territorial units within the country). Thus, nine holidays are celebrated in all 16 lands, and in addition to these nine holidays, eleven lands have additional ones.

Several more Germans work in the Netherlands (1,419 hours per year). It is worth noting that in the mid-2000s, the Dutch government was the first in the world to introduce a working week of less than 30 hours. And the Dutch themselves want to work even less. That is why many enterprises in the country are more and more actively introducing the 4-day working week. At the same time, a Dutchman's working day lasts an average of 7 hours and 30 minutes. 81% of residents are employed in the service sector, 17% in industry and about 2% in agriculture.

The Dutch have an average vacation in Europe - 4 weeks, that is, 20 calendar days. In addition, there are 9 major holidays in the Netherlands. Among them are King's Day, Liberation Day, Holy Trinity Day and St. Nicholas Day. Despite the fact that the latter does not belong to the state, the Dutch do not work on this day.

In the Scandinavian countries, they are also not heavily processed. In Norway they work 1,424 hours a year, in Denmark 1,457 hours. Recognized amateurs beautiful life- the French - and they work more than the Germans (1482 hours a year).

France is a country with a 35-hour workweek, long lunch breaks and even longer vacations. However, not every Frenchman works 35 hours: this figure is just a threshold after which overtime hours begin at an additional cost. That is why many residents of the country are ready to work more than the norm.

According to the French government, in 2010, 50% of full-time employees applied for overtime pay, and 44% of lawyers worked more than 55 hours in 2008, according to the French National Bar Association. 76% of the French work in the service sector, 21% in industry and only 3% in agriculture.

In France, the official paid leave is 25 days a year. Taking into account 10 public holidays, the French have an average of 35 days a year. They rest on Victory Day, All Saints Day and traditionally on Christmas Day.

Six hours or three days off

However, there are countries that were not included in this rating, but at the same time are ready for changes in the working rhythm. For example, Sweden recently completed a two-year experiment to introduce a 6-hour workday. True, the employees of the nursing home in Gothenburg, who were lucky enough to become participants in such an innovation, were upset.

The study found that the health of employees improved, which reduced their stay on sick leave, also improved patient care, but the city will not continue the experiment on an ongoing basis: too expensive.

It turned out that in order to allow 68 nurses to work 30 hours a week instead of 40, the city must hire an additional 17 people, which will cost the treasury over a million euros, notes.

And the Belgian design studio Central, as an increase in the efficiency of its employees, offered them, no less than a third day off, which the workers dispose of at their own discretion.

It is noteworthy that such an innovation really made it possible to increase the efficiency of work and the speed of completing tasks, because a rested and happy employee is a productive employee, the company noted.

In the labor laws of most countries of the world, the duration of compulsory annual leave is indicated not in calendar days, but in working days. If you translate a vacation of 28 calendar days into the same measurement system, then it will last 20 working days. Another nuance - in many countries, vacation is calculated based on a six-day work week. Therefore, in order to correctly compare the duration of the annual rest in different countries, we brought everything to a common denominator: we proceed from the working five-day period, indicate the data in working days and take into account the minimum provided by local legislation.

United Kingdom. There are 8 holidays in the country. If the employer pays for them, the employee gets 20 vacation days. If not, leave is given in the amount of 28 working days. So every Englishman rests for a total of 28 days.

Austria... After 25 years of work, an additional 5 working days are added to the employee's vacation, as a result, the vacation is 30 working days.

France... The country has only one holiday recognized as a day off - Labor Day (May 1). Rest on other public holidays as agreed with the employer.

Finland... All 13 holidays are linked to calendar dates. That is, those that fall on weekends are not carried over to subsequent working days, as we do.

Saudi Arabia... Leave at the beginning of the work journey is 10 working days, after 10 years of work with one employer - 15 working days.

Argentina... After 5 years of work in one place, the vacation is increased to 15 days; 10 years - 20 days; 20 years - 25 days.

Japan... The number of vacation pay grows with experience. However, Japanese workaholics rarely take full advantage of their vacation, and one in six Japanese workers generally refuses to rest. Because of this, the government is preparing to legally oblige citizens to use at least 5 vacation days annually.

Israel... The day preceding some holidays is also considered a non-working day. A beginner worker (work experience from 1 to 4 years) can count on 2 weeks of vacation. Then it is increased by 1–2 working days every year. After 7 years of work, it reaches 15 working days. The maximum vacation for employees with 14 years of experience or more is 20 working days.

USA... The length of the leave is not defined by law. This is decided by the employer himself. Usually 10 business days. Taking into account public holidays, on average, Americans rest about 28 days.

India... The Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday have the status of public holidays. The rest are regional holidays. Their number depends on the state. Most celebrated in the state of Haryana.

Malaysia... A beginner employee is entitled to a vacation of 8 days, after 2 years of experience - 12 days, after 5 years - 16.

China... During the first 10 years of work, vacation is 5 days, then 10, and after 20 years - 15. But even from such a short vacation, a third of the Chinese refuse to earn extra money.