Work Hard? Play Hard? It’s Not The Countries You Might Think.

NOP World launched its Culture Score™ Index, an ongoing series that offers a global perspective on lifestyle issues across 31 countries. Focusing on Work/Life balance, the first index reveals Sweden striking the most precise balance, with 36.7 hours per week at work and 36.4 hours per week at “play.”

Play activities are defined as watching TV, reading, socializing with friends and spending time with children and grandchildren. Hours were self-reported, and the global averages spent per week are 40.6 hours at work and 39.2 hours at play (setting the index baseline of 100).

Employed respondents in the US and the UK report spending more time at “play” (41.7 hours in the US per week, 39.2 hours in the UK) than at work (38.3 hours in the US per week, 36.1 hours in the UK). However, they are not among the most “life-oriented.”

Paul Leinberger, Global Director, NOP World. “As shown in the data, the majority of the countries who are focused more on play still spend at least 40 hours a week at work. The longer work week is becoming a social norm, transcending local culture.”

To view charts CLICK above on ‘More Images’.