The adage about working harder, not smarter, is getting turned on its head in today’s economy. While many nations chase longer hours as a badge of productivity, several countries have discovered something remarkable: the secret to economic success might actually lie in working less. These nations have cracked the code on efficiency, proving that quality truly beats quantity when it comes to workplace performance.
Think about your most productive workday. Was it the twelve-hour marathon where you barely had time for lunch, or that focused six-hour sprint where everything just clicked? The data suggests it’s probably the latter.
The Netherlands: Masters of the Four-Day Revolution
The Netherlands consistently ranks among the most productive countries in the world, with full-time employees working relatively short hours per week – the shortest on this list – while the country ranks as the No. 1 country in Europe with the shortest workweek in 2023 with 32.2 hours according to Eurostat. A large proportion of Dutch people already work a 4-day work week with 9 hours of work per day.
A highly educated and skilled workforce, combined with modern infrastructure and great transport links, keeps the economy humming, with strong wages and low income inequality offering a welcoming environment for both locals and international workers alike. In the Netherlands and Denmark, 25 – 35% of the locals bike to work.
Overtime is not a widespread practice in the Netherlands, as employers are conscious of maintaining work-life balance, and when overtime is required, it is either compensated with additional pay or time off, as per labour agreements. The Dutch model proves that prioritising employee wellbeing doesn’t compromise economic performance – it enhances it.
Denmark: Where Hygge Meets High Performance
Denmark has the shortest average workweek of just 37.2 hours for full-time employees of the OECD member countries. Denmark is among the most productive countries in the world. Denmark consistently ranks among the happiest countries in the world.
Located in Northern Europe, Denmark is known for creating the concept of “hygge,” pronounced “hoo-gah,” which the country’s tourism portal describes as “creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people.” This cultural philosophy extends into their work environment, where balance isn’t just encouraged – it’s embedded in the national DNA.
Denmark leads with 74% of respondents saying that most people can be trusted, followed closely by Norway (72%) and Finland (68%). This trust-based culture allows for flexible work arrangements and autonomous decision-making, reducing the need for micromanagement and lengthy oversight processes.
Norway: Oil Wealth Meets Work-Life Wisdom
Norway’s full-time workers average about 38 hours per week, placing the country among those with the shortest workweeks in the OECD. Norway has very high productivity per hour worked. Norwegians are known for being extremely efficient and task-oriented at work and can shut out their jobs from their lives once the clock hits 4 p.m. (the typical end time of a Norwegian workday).
Workweek is 37.5 hours, with overtime compensated 40 to 100% above regular pay. Work-life balance is highly valued, and family is a greater priority than work, with parents often allowed to leave work early to pick up their kids from school.
Norway’s oil wealth certainly provides a buffer, yet its approach to productivity focuses on maximising output during work hours rather than extending them indefinitely. Overtime should not exceed 200 hours per year unless otherwise agreed, and overtime is compensated at a premium rate, 40 to 100% above regular pay.
Germany: Engineering Efficiency Into Everything
The two countries that work the fewest hours are Germany and Denmark, with the German Working Hours Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz) stating that daily hours of work may not exceed eight hours, though days can be extended to 10 hours, but only if it averages out to eight hours per working day over six months.
Working fewer hours doesn’t mean that a country is becoming less productive, as Germany is known for its high-value industries like automotive and pharmaceuticals, where robotics and other technologies can greatly enhance productivity, supported by GDP per capita, in which Germany has grown substantially since 2000.
The situation in Germany is completely different, with Germans having some of the lowest numbers of work hours but being the most productive. Their secret lies in precision, automation, and a culture that values meticulous planning over rushed execution.
Luxembourg: Small Size, Massive Productivity
Luxembourg has exceptionally high productivity per hour, with the average workweek in Luxembourg about 39.5 hours. In 2023, GDP per hour worked was $128.80 in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, higher than in Belgium ($112.90), Germany ($95) and France ($92.80).
It is believed that the main reason for Luxembourg’s high productivity levels is its financial sector. Citizens of Luxembourg enjoy the highest per capita gross domestic product in the world, according to an IMF estimate in 2022.
Luxembourg has a strong economy with high productivity levels, allowing workers to achieve more in less time, with the government focusing on quality over quantity, promoting efficiency and employee well-being, while generous social benefits and strong labour laws ensure adequate rest periods and vacation time. However, for more than a decade, labour productivity in Luxembourg has shown almost zero growth.
The evidence is clear: these five nations have figured out that productivity isn’t about burning the midnight oil. It’s about creating systems, cultures, and policies that maximise output during focused work periods. From the Netherlands’ bike-friendly commutes to Germany’s precision engineering culture, each country has found its own path to the same destination: more accomplished with less stress.
What strikes me most about this data is how these countries prioritise trust and autonomy over surveillance and hours logged. They’ve realised that when you treat workers as responsible adults who want to do good work, they typically rise to meet those expectations.
What do you think – could your workplace benefit from adopting some of these shorter-hour, higher-productivity approaches? The numbers certainly make a compelling case for working smarter, not longer.