Sometimes when there are delays on the work commute and a never-ending to-do list ahead of us, the idea of a work-life balance feels like a mere myth. However, a recent research from Remote analysed the working culture of the 60 highest GDP nations around the world, is proof that it isn’t a myth - it just depends on where you live. The 2025 study highlights countries that seemingly get it right when it comes to a healthy work-life balance.
Remote’s study takes into consideration various areas of interest, like statutory annual leave, minimum statutory sick percentage, paid maternity leave and payment rate, minimum wage, healthcare system, happiness index, average hours worked per week and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Below are the top 10 countries in the world right now that get it juuust right. Think of it as chasing joy, not just growth.
1. Finland
Index score: 70.86
Topping the list is Finland, no stranger to global acclaim for its happiness levels. What makes it stand out? It’s the mix of flexible hours, strong social safety nets and a culture built on trust. Paid annual leave, robust sick pay and generous parental provisions are just the beginning. Finnish workplaces aren’t run like sprint races - they’re long-distance endurance runs, with well-being valued every step of the way.
2. Spain
Index score: 71.94
Is there anything more quintessentially Spanish than the afternoon siesta? While a midday snooze isn’t part of everyday life in the cities’ corporate hubs, the Spanish evidently know how to strike the right balance between business and pleasure. Best of all, Madrid is one of Europe’s most exciting cultural hubs, meaning there’s always something to do when the laptop is tucked away after another working week.
3. Australia
Index score: 72.1
Year-round sunshine, friendly faces, some of the best beaches in the world - and a laidback culture that’s reflected in the country’s life-work balance. It’s no surprise that Australia ranks among the top 10 in the world and continues to attract tens of thousands of Brits each year. While some visit for a few years on a gap year-style break or sabbatical, many others stick around, enticed by a decent minimum wage, a high happiness index ranking, and all the benefits that the funded healthcare system brings.
4. Canada
Index score: 73.76
Inclusivity is a major draw for workers looking to set up a new life in Canada and the world’s second-largest country by land area consistently tops the rankings when it comes to LGBTQ+ friendliness. Unlike neighbouring Americans, Canadians benefit from a universal healthcare system and cities such as Toronto are popular among remote workers looking to enjoy city life on their own time and terms
5. Denmark
Index score: 73.76
Denmark ranks just behind Finland on the happiness index, so expect to be smiling the whole time you’ll be visiting. Thanks to high tax rates, workers benefit from generous annual leave policies, full sick pay and universal healthcare and education. It’s also one of Europe’s most inclusive countries and notoriously LGBTQ+ friendly. Our take? Copenhagen’s artsy streets await.
6. Norway
Index score: 74.2
Denmark’s more northerly neighbour, Norway, peppered with rugged natural landscapes and fjords, offers its workers a smorgasbord of work-life balance benefits, from generous annual leave allowances to government-funded healthcare and education. Long working weeks are rare, meaning all the more time to explore all that Oslo and beyond have to offer.
7. Germany
Index score: 74.65
Germany ties its strong industrial backbone with serious support for workers: 30+ days of leave, full sick pay, a solid minimum wage and comprehensive healthcare. Some cities are testing shorter workweeks and the culture generally respects work-life boundaries. Plus, the country’s focus on mental health and wellness makes this a solid place to thrive.
8. Belgium
Index score: 75.91
Belgium supports its workers with 30+ days of leave, solid minimum wage laws, universal healthcare and strong parental leave policies. It’s also part of the wave of countries trialing 4-day work weeks, with new laws allowing workers to compress their hours and reclaim more days for themselves.
9. Ireland
Index score: 81.17
Those living and working on the Emerald Isle enjoy 30 days of statutory annual leave, with an average work of 34.3 hours, as well as 26 weeks of fully-paid maternity leave. They score highly on the happiness index and as a culture, place high value on both work and family, reflected by recent legislation aimed at further improving work-life balance, including the right to request flexible working arrangements.
10. New Zealand
Index score: 86.87
This island nation tops the index with a score of 79.35 out of 100, thanks to a generous 32 days of annual leave, 80% sick pay, full statutory minimum wage protections and universal healthcare. Remote also highlighted New Zealand’s strong parental leave - up to 26 weeks paid - and its welcoming, inclusive society. No wonder it consistently ranks as one of the happiest places on earth.
