Countries with a 4 Day Work Week

Although no country has fully adopted a 4 day work week, many of the countries below are experimenting with one or have a short average working week.

  • 1. Australia

    4 day work week pilot

    In total 26 companies took part in a 4 day work week trial

  • 2. Austria

    Short average workweek (36hrs)

    According to an OECD report, Austria has the 6th shortest average workweek in the world (35.5hrs)

  • 3. Belgium

    Right to work 4 days (compressed)

    Workers in Belgium now have the right to switch to a four-day week. However, the 4 day week is typically 4x10 hour days.

  • 4. Canada

    Large 4 day week pilot

    Dozens of companies in Canada are experimenting with a 4 day work week as part of the 4 Day Week Global pilot.

  • 5. Denmark

    Short average workweek (33hrs)

    According to an OECD report, Denmark has the 2nd shortest average workweek in the world (33hrs)

  • It’s well-known that France has a legally mandated 35-hour work week that was established over 22 years ago in 2000

  • 7. Germany

    4 day week campaigns

    In addition to having one of the shortest work weeks in the world (34hrs), the largest trade union in Germany is campaigning for a 4 day work week.

  • 8. Iceland

    Public sector have a 4 day work week

    The largest pilot of a 4 day work week (35-36hrs) took place in Iceland with 2.5k people taking part in the study.

  • 9. Ireland

    Large 4 day week pilot

    Seventeen Irish businesses are trialing a 4 day work week for 6 months between June & December 2022

  • 10. Japan

    Government 4 day week recommendation

    The Japanese government released their annual economic policy in 2021 which recommended that companies let staff work 4 days per week, instead of the usual 5.

  • 11. Netherlands

    Short average workweek (29hrs)

    In the Netherlands, citizens now have the right to go part time in their job unless there is "substantial business reason" justifying why they cannot. As a result workers in the Netherlands have the shortest average working week in the world (29hrs)

  • 12. New Zealand

    Large 4 day week pilot

    In total 26 organizations took part in a 4 day work week trial

  • 13. Norway

    Short average workweek (34hrs)

    According to an OECD report, Norway has the 3rd shortest average working week in the world (33.6hrs).

  • 14. Portugal

    4 day work week pilot

    In total 39 companies took part in a 4 day work week trial

  • 15. Scotland

    Government 4 day week pilot

    The Scottish Government has pledged £10 million to help private companies pilot a 4 day work week.

  • 16. South Africa

    Large 4 day week pilot

    Starting in 2023, various companies in South Africa will be piloting a 4 day week with no loss in pay

  • 17. Spain

    Government 4 day week pilot

    The Spanish government has proposed a €50m project to help companies trial a 4 day work week with minimal risk.

  • 18. Switzerland

    Short average workweek (35hrs)

    According to an OECD report, Switzerland has the 4th shortest average working week in the world (34.6hrs)

  • 19. UK

    Large 4 day week pilot

    Over 3,000 staff at 60 UK businesses trialed a 4 day work week for 6 months between June & December 2022

  • 20. USA

    4 day work week pilot

    More than 30 companies took part in a 4 day week pilot

  • 21. United Arab Emirates

    Government 4.5 day work week

    The UAE has shortened its workweek for all government employees, allowing staff to have a half day on a Friday.