The index analysis by the global human resources platform Remote shows which European countries offer employees the best life-work balance. It evaluates countries based on eight key indicators: healthcare, minimum wage, maternity leave, statutory annual leave, sick pay, overall happiness levels, average working hours and LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
Luxembourg ranks first among the 30 European countries analysed, with a total index score of 85.26. Spain and France are in second and third place, respectively.
“Famous for being the second-richest country in the world, Luxembourg is an economic powerhouse that is keenly aware of the importance of a good life-work balance. Move here and you’ll experience award-winning wines, unique cuisine (such as gromperekichelcher), and an attitude to work that puts you and your family’s needs first,” notes the study.
Luxembourg also has the highest minimum wage, at $14.26 (USD) per hour, with fair salary arrangements for both fixed-term contracts and part-time employees.
Other reports on Luxembourg’s work-life balance
When it comes to general wellbeing, the Grand Duchy’s standing is corroborated across several other studies. According to publications such as the OECD Better Life Index, which includes a work-life balance category, Luxembourg features in the top 15 countries.
Forbes Advisor examined work-life balance in 128 nations using existing rankings along with factors such as average working hours, minimum legal annual leave, maternity leave, unemployment rate, daylight hours, and more, with Luxembourg ranking 11th.
The World Happiness Report 2023, in which Luxembourg ranks ninth overall, takes into account key variables such as GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, and touches on other important aspects such as workers well-being.
The Global Liveability Index by the Economist’s Intelligence Unit (EIU) places Luxembourg City in the top 10 liveable cities in Europe, owing to its excellence across areas like stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. Similarly, the most recent Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey affirms the living standards in the City of Luxembourg, which ranks among the top 20 in over 200 cities evaluated across the world.
Eurofound data on social and work conditions in Luxembourg indicates that the Grand Duchy is well above the EU average in terms of life satisfaction, the ability of employees to choose or change work methods and to accumulate overtime hours for days off work. It therefore comes as no surprise that Luxembourg remains the world’s best for talent attraction according to the most recent Global Talent Competitiveness Index by business school INSEAD.
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