World’s Most Overworked Countries: India Leads In Working Hours Among Major Economies

The issue of layoffs and excessive work pressure is increasingly becoming a concern for professionals in various industries. Many companies, including large corporations, frequently let go of employees or compel them to resign, often citing different reasons. To secure their jobs, many employees push themselves beyond their limits, negatively impacting their work-life balance and health.

A recent and tragic example is that of 26-year-old Ana Sebastian Perayil, a chartered accountant working at EY in Pune, Maharashtra, who passed away, reportedly due to work-related stress. Her mother wrote a letter attributing her daughter’s death to excessive work pressure, sparking a nationwide debate about the working conditions and pressures faced by professionals. In light of this, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has released a report highlighting the working hours in various countries, adding to the ongoing conversation about the urgent need for healthier work environments and better employee well-being.

In India, while most offices have fixed working hours, typically ranging between 8 to 10 hours a day, the reality of an employee’s workload often goes beyond these set hours. Though employees may punch in and out at specific times, there is little oversight on important aspects such as how frequently they take breaks, how heavy their workload is, or whether they need to work from home or on holidays.

The lack of monitoring in these areas contributes to an unhealthy work culture. With fewer employees in many organizations, the workload on those who remain tends to increase, pushing them to work beyond their capacity. It often results in burnout, disrupted work-life balance, and serious health issues. The challenge lies in the need for companies to not only regulate office hours but also to monitor and manage overall workload to ensure the well-being of their employees.

According to the latest report from the International Labor Organization (ILO), Indians work the longest hours among the ten largest economies in the world. India’s weekly working hours exceed those of the United States, Japan, China, Germany, the UK, France, and Brazil. Here’s a breakdown of the average weekly working hours by country:

1. India: 46.7 hours
2. China: 46.1 hours
3. Brazil: 39 hours
4. United States: 38 hours
5. Japan: 36.6 hours
6. Italy: 36.3 hours
7. United Kingdom: 35.9 hours
8. France: 35.9 hours
9. Germany: 34.2 hours
10. Canada: 32.1 hours