In 2024, Greece recorded the highest average weekly working hours in the European Union, according to data from Eurostat. Greek workers put in an average of 39.8 hours per week—nearly six hours more than the EU average of 36 hours.
This figure places Greece far ahead of many central and western European countries often considered the EU’s economic core. Following Greece were Bulgaria (39 hours), Poland (38.9), and Romania (38.8), indicating a regional trend of longer working hours in parts of Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Netherlands reported the shortest average working week at just 32.1 hours. Denmark, Germany, and Austria followed, each with 33.9 hours.
Eurostat’s data, which includes full-time and part-time workers aged 20–64, showed that the EU average for actual weekly hours worked has decreased slightly from 37.0 hours in 2014 to 36.0 hours in 2024.
Looking at sectors, agriculture, forestry, and fishing had the longest average workweeks, at 41.2 hours. Mining and quarrying came next with 38.8 hours, followed by construction at 38.7 hours. The shortest hours were seen in household employment activities (26.7 hours), education (31.9), and arts, entertainment, and recreation (32.9).
The data highlights substantial variations in working habits across the EU, influenced by national economies, labor policies, and sector-specific demands.
Source: tovima.com
