The OECD’s latest displayed figures show an average of 1,736 hours actually worked per worker per year across the OECD aggregate in 2025. Selected country entries range from 1,332 hours in Germany to 2,205 in Mexico—but the OECD cautions that cross-country levels for a single year are not directly comparable because national sources and calculation methods differ.
Selected average annual hours by country
The figures below are from the OECD Data Explorer’s 2025 series for average annual hours actually worked per worker. They are measured in hours per person per year. This is a selection of entries, not a complete ranking, and it covers economies in the OECD series rather than every country worldwide.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Country or aggregate | Hours per worker per year, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 2,205 |
| Costa Rica | 2,183 |
| Chile | 1,912 |
| Greece | 1,874 |
| Israel | 1,870 |
| Korea | 1,833 |
| Czechia | 1,824 |
| United States | 1,800 |
| Poland | 1,776 |
| Portugal | 1,764 |
| OECD aggregate | 1,736 |
| Austria | 1,442 |
| Netherlands | 1,436 |
| Iceland | 1,421 |
| Sweden | 1,421 |
| Norway | 1,386 |
| Denmark | 1,369 |
| Germany | 1,332 |
| Colombia | Missing in the displayed table |
Source: OECD Data Explorer, “Average annual hours actually worked per worker,” 2025 display. The OECD page provides the series and its definitions; figures above are reproduced as displayed.
What the indicator measures
“Average annual hours actually worked per worker” is total hours actually worked divided by average employment. It includes full-time, part-time and part-year regular work, paid and unpaid overtime, and hours in additional jobs. It excludes periods not worked, such as holidays, annual leave, illness, parental leave, schooling or training, labour disputes, bad weather and other specified reasons. The resulting value is an annual average per employed person—not a statutory workweek or the number of hours every individual works.
#1 Best Overall
The OECD describes hours actually worked as the relevant labour-input concept in its productivity discussion. Work patterns and employment legislation vary between countries, which is another reason not to treat this indicator as a simple measure of a typical employee’s schedule.
How to interpret country differences
The table can show how the OECD’s displayed observations differ, but it should not be read as a definitive answer to which country’s people “work the most” or “work the least.” The OECD says the data are intended for comparisons of trends over time and are unsuitable for comparing the level of annual hours across countries in a given year, because data sources and calculation methods differ.
For a fair reading, identify the measure, year, unit, series coverage and missing observations. In particular, annual actual hours are distinct from statutory hours, hours paid, or usual weekly hours. A high annual figure does not by itself establish longer statutory working time or a longer schedule for a typical worker.
Coverage and missing values
These values are OECD-series observations, not a global census. The selected table does not show every covered economy, and Colombia has no displayed 2025 value in this view. A missing entry should not be interpreted as zero hours or as evidence that people in that country do not work; it means the value is absent from the displayed table.
Rank #3
For definitions and the stated comparability limitation, see the OECD’s Hours worked indicator documentation. The OECD’s OECD Compendium of Productivity Indicators 2026 discusses hours actually worked as a labour-input measure.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
