Working time
Paid labor period regulated by law, varying globally.
Working time, or laboring time, refers exclusively to the period a person spends in paid employment, distinct from unpaid activities like housework or caring for dependents. Its regulation varies widely by nation, with many governments setting legal limits on daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly hours, mandating minimum rest periods and annual holidays, and requiring employers to pay higher rates for overtime. Globally, standard working hours typically fall between 40 and 44 hours per week, though notable exceptions exist, such as France’s 35-hour week and Bhutan’s allowance of up to 60 hours. The maximum permissible hours are also legally capped in many jurisdictions.
Historically, working time has undergone dramatic shifts. In pre-industrial hunter-gatherer societies, anthropological studies from the 1960s and 1970s found that people worked far fewer hours than commonly assumed—averaging under five hours per day, with some groups like the !Kung Bushmen working only about two and a half days per week. The Industrial Revolution reversed this trend, as factory labor, unbound by seasons and aided by artificial lighting, extended workdays to 12–16 hours, six or seven days a week. Over the 20th century, however, hours roughly halved in advanced economies, driven by rising wages, labor productivity gains, trade union pressure, and legislation. For instance, American workers in 1900 labored 50% more than their modern counterparts. The decline continued unevenly: France adopted a 35-hour week in 2000, China a 40-hour week in 1995, and by the mid-2000s, the Netherlands became the first industrialized nation where the average workweek fell below 30 hours. Despite these trends, long hours remain a global health concern. The World Health Organization and International Labour Organization estimated that in 2016, one in ten workers worldwide were exposed to 55 or more hours per week, contributing to 745,000 deaths from heart disease or stroke—making extended working time the occupational risk factor with the largest disease burden.
- Definition
- Period of paid labor, excluding unpaid work
- Typical standard hours
- 40–44 hours per week worldwide
- Lowest average weekly hours
- Netherlands (27 hours), France (30 hours)
- Highest maximum hours
- Up to 60 hours per week in Bhutan
Lore & Background
Working time, the period spent in paid labor, excludes unpaid activities such as housework or childcare. Its length varies widely based on economic conditions, location, culture, lifestyle, and an individual’s financial needs—for instance, someone supporting children with a large mortgage may work more hours than a person of similar earnings with lower housing costs. In developed nations, some workers are part-time due to an inability to find full-time roles, while others choose reduced hours for family care or increased leisure. Standard working hours, regulated by law in many countries, typically range from 40 to 44 hours per week, though France mandates 35 hours and Bhutan permits up to 60. Maximum working hours laws set an upper limit an employee cannot exceed. Historically, hunter-gatherer societies enjoyed substantial leisure time; studies of groups like the !Kung Bushmen estimated work at roughly two-and-a-half days per week, around six hours daily, with overall averages below five hours. The Industrial Revolution dramatically increased working time, with schedules of 12 to 16 hours per day, six to seven days per week, as employers maximized costly machinery. Over the 20th century, hours nearly halved due to rising wages, trade unions, collective bargaining, and legislation, dropping to about 40 hours per week after World War II. France adopted a 35-hour week in 2000, and China a 40-hour week in 1995. By the mid-2000s, the Netherlands became the first industrialized nation where the average work week fell below 30 hours. Long hours remain a health risk: in 2016, the World Health Organization and International Labour Organization estimated that globally one in ten workers were exposed to 55 or more hours weekly, contributing to 745,000 deaths from heart disease or stroke.
Reader's Guide
Working time is significant because it directly affects economic productivity, worker health, and quality of life. The article notes that in advanced economies, working hours have declined while labor productivity and real wages have increased. The structure of the workweek varies by culture and profession, with the traditional American '9-to-5' representing a 40-hour week. Debates continue over further reductions, with proposals for a 21-hour or even 15-hour workweek, citing benefits such as reduced unemployment, lower carbon emissions, and improved well-being. The Netherlands became the first industrialized country where the average workweek dropped below 30 hours in the mid-2000s.
Did You Know?
- Hunter-gatherer societies were estimated to work less than five hours per day on average.
- The Netherlands was the first industrialized country where the average workweek fell below 30 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Working time actually cover?
Working time refers specifically to the hours someone spends doing compensated labor, and it deliberately leaves out unpaid activities like childcare or household chores. Most nations have legal frameworks that set boundaries around how much paid work a person can be required to do.
What's the typical standard week under Working time rules?
Across the globe, the norm for a standard paid work week generally falls between 40 and 44 hours. However, individual countries set their own caps, with some jurisdictions allowing maximums as high as 60 hours per week.
Which countries have the shortest Working time averages?
The Netherlands leads with an average of just 27 paid hours per week, followed closely by France at 30 hours. These figures sit well below the broader global standard range.
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