Greeks Recorded Longest Working Hours in Europe in 2024: Eurostat

The figures showed Greek employees clocked six hours more than the average EU, which stands at 36 hours per week. The data places them well ahead of their counterparts in the EU’s so-called “core” countries.

Greek working hours were the longest in the European Union in 2024, averaging 39.8 hours weekly, according to data released by Europe’s statistical authority, Eurostat.

The figures showed Greek employees clocked six hours more than the average EU, which stands at 36 hours per week. The data places them well ahead of their counterparts in the EU’s so-called “core” countries.

A closer examination of the figures illustrated significant discrepancies across member states. Behind Greece, which topped the list for average weekly working hours, came three other nations—two Balkan and one northern European: Bulgaria at 39 hours, Poland at 38.9, and Romania at 38.8.

At the other end of the spectrum were countries in Central Europe. The Netherlands recorded the shortest average working week at just 32.1 hours, followed by Denmark, Germany, and Austria, each with 33.9 hours.

In 2024, the actual average weekly working hours for both full-time and part-time employees aged 20 to 64 across the EU in their main jobs was 36.0 hours, down from 37.0 hours in 2014.

The sectors of agriculture, forestry, and fishing recorded the longest average working weeks in the European Union, with 41.2 actual hours worked per week. Mining and quarrying at 38.8 hours, and construction at 38.7 hours followed. On the other end of the scale, the shortest working weeks were recorded in household activities as employers, with just 26.7 hours, followed by education at 31.9 hours, and the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector at 32.9 hours.