India ranks among most overworked nations: International Labor Organization
What's the story
India has been identified as one of the most overworked countries among the top 10 economies in the world, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). The average Indian employee works approximately 46.7 hours per week. This figure surpasses even China and the US where employees work an average of 46.1 and 38 hours per week, respectively. Meanwhile, Canada has recorded the lowest average — 32.1 hours per week, making it one of the most desired nations to work in.
Workload distribution
More than half of Indian workers clock over 49 hours/week
The ILO's data further reveals that over half (51%) of Indian workers are logging in excess of 49 hours each week. This is the second-highest rate globally, surpassed only by Bhutan where an astounding 61% of its workforce clocks in over these hours. The data also includes Bangladesh (at 47%) and Pakistan (at 40%) in the top 10, indicating a trend of extended working hours across South Asian nations.
Global comparison
No European, American country among highest working hours per employee
Interestingly, no European or American country features in the list of top 20 nations with the highest working hours per employee. The countries that do make this list include Bhutan (54.4 hours/week), UAE (50.9 hours/week), Lesotho (50.4 hours/week), Congo (48.6 hours/week), and Qatar (48 hours/week). On the other end of the spectrum, Vanuatu boasts the shortest average working week at just 24.7 hours per employed person.
Economic impact
Longer working hours linked to lower per capita GDP
The ILO study also uncovers a negative correlation between prosperity and weekly working hours. It suggests that countries with shorter working weeks typically have higher per capita GDPs. Despite having the longest average weekly working hours among the top 10 economies, India's per capita GDP remains one of the lowest. This finding challenges the notion that longer working hours necessarily lead to greater economic prosperity.