New Zealand has claimed the number‑one spot in the Global Life‑Work Balance Index 2025, scoring 86.87 out of 100, and retaining its crown for the third consecutive year. This performance places it 5.7–6 points ahead of second‑placed Ireland, underscoring the country’s leadership in work‑life balance globally.
Key Factors Behind New Zealand's Leading Position
- Statutory annual leave: Kiwis enjoy 32 days paid leave, one of the most generous worldwide.
- Paid maternity leave: Up to 26 weeks at full pay, supporting new parents.
- Minimum wage: A relatively high floor (around USD 16.42/hour), which helps drive economic fairness.
- Universal healthcare, public safety, public happiness, and favourable average work hours further boost its score.
Global Comparisons: Europe and APAC Leaders
Top 10 Countries for Work‑Life Balance in 2025
- New Zealand
- Ireland
- Belgium
- Germany
- Norway
- Denmark
- Canada
- Australia
- Spain
- Finland
Notably, seven out of the top 10 are European nations, reflecting strong social protections, generous parental leave, healthcare access, and high minimum wages across the continent.
APAC Highlights
New Zealand leads the Asia–Pacific region.
Australia ranks 8th globally, with the highest minimum wage in the world (about USD 18.12/hour) and fairly short working hours (~32.3 hours/week).
Singapore ranks around 25th, with recent improvements in maternity leave.
Trends & Notable Changes
Argentina saw a big rise in ranking—moving from 19th to 14th—thanks to a minimum wage increase and gains in public happiness.
The United States tumbled further, now 59th out of 60 countries, due to declining public safety and LGBTQ+ inclusion scores (it was already low-ranked in prior years).
The UK improved by 4–4.5 points, just missing the top 10 after better minimum wage and reduced working hours.
Why This Matters
Work‑life balance (or the life‑work balance concept, which prioritises life first) is more than a buzzword. The Global Life‑Work Balance Index uses robust metrics—including legislative protections like annual leave, sick leave, paid parental leave, as well as healthcare, safety, and social wellbeing—to compare nations holistically.
According to Remote (the HR platform behind the index), a balanced work‑life environment correlates with higher employee satisfaction, better mental health outcomes, and greater overall productivity and social cohesion.
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