Canada Achieves Top 5 Ranking Globally for Work-Life Balance

Canada achieved an impressive overall score of 72.75 out of 100, standing out for its relatively short average work week of 32 hours, a high safety rating, and a welcoming environment for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. Other countries rounding out the top ten include Germany, Finland, Australia, Norway, and Spain. Meanwhile, Canada’s closest neighbour, the United States, ranked significantly lower, placing 55th out of 60 due to factors like lack of guaranteed paid vacation or sick leave, non-universal healthcare, and longer working hours.

The data on Canada’s average working hours is also supported by the latest work-life balance rankings from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), where Canada also placed fifth. The OECD noted that only 3% of Canadian employees work very long hours, which is significantly lower than the OECD average of 10%. The report also highlighted that full-time workers in Canada dedicate 61% of their day (approximately 14.6 hours) to personal care activities, slightly below the global average of 15 hours.

Despite its strong showing, the Remote HR report indicated that Canada falls short in terms of statutory annual leave and vacation time. On average, Canadian employees receive 17 days of statutory leave per year, but this varies widely depending on provincial regulations. For instance, in Ontario, private sector employees may only be entitled to 10 days of vacation during their first five years of employment, increasing to 15 days after five years. In contrast, employees in Saskatchewan receive three weeks of paid vacation after just one year, which rises to four weeks after ten years.

Comparatively, countries like New Zealand and Ireland guarantee four weeks of paid vacation after 12 months of continuous employment, demonstrating a more generous approach to annual leave.

Canada frequently ranks high in various global indexes. Earlier this year, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection named it the world’s safest country for travellers. Additionally, a 2023 study by Givetastic identified Canada as the top “dream work destination.” Furthermore, Canada holds the seventh position globally for the strength of its passport, according to the latest rankings by Henley and Partners. These accolades, along with how Canada achieves top 5 ranking globally for work-life balance, contribute to its reputation as a desirable destination for newcomers. In 2023, Canada welcomed over 470,000 new permanent residents, and the Immigration Levels Plan for 2024 aims to admit another 485,000. While the country’s immigration policy may evolve, Canada’s economic and social benefits from immigration remain a key focus for the government.