A study from Remote HR, a global Human Resources firm, reveals that Canada is ranked among the top ten countries worldwide for work-life balance (referred to as life-work balance in the study).
Canada secured the fifth position overall, with New Zealand, Ireland, Belgium, and Denmark occupying the top four spots.
The rankings are based on various factors affecting work-life balance, including statutory annual leave, sick pay percentage, weekly work hours, minimum wage, and an overall happiness index.
Canada earned a score of 72.75 out of 100, ranking it fifth globally for work-life balance. The country excelled with its relatively short average work week of 32 hours, high safety standards, and strong 2SLGBTQ+ inclusivity.
The top ten also includes Germany, Finland, Australia, Norway, and Spain. In contrast, the United States, Canada's closest neighbor, fell to 55th out of 60, with a score of 31.82. This low ranking is attributed to the lack of annual paid vacation and sick leave, non-universal healthcare, and longer work hours.
Remote HR's findings on average working hours in Canada are corroborated by the latest OECD work-life balance rankings, where Canada also placed fifth. The OECD notes that only 3% of Canadian employees work very long hours, significantly below the OECD average of 10%. Full-time workers in Canada dedicate 61% of their day (14.6 hours) to personal care, including eating, sleeping, and leisure, which is slightly below the global average of 15 hours.
However, Canada falls short in vacation time. According to the Remote report, Canadian employees receive 17 days of annual statutory leave. This varies by province: in Ontario, private sector workers start with 10 days of vacation per year, increasing to 15 days after five years. In Saskatchewan, employees are entitled to three weeks of vacation after one year, rising to four weeks after ten years. Quebec offers two weeks initially, increasing to three weeks after three years.
Federal statutory holidays such as Christmas Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, and others are additional benefits, but time off for these holidays often depends on the employer and the province.
In comparison, employees in New Zealand and Ireland receive four weeks of paid annual vacation after 12 months of continuous employment.
Canada consistently ranks highly on global lists. Earlier this year, it was named the safest country for travelers by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP), and a late 2023 study by Givetastic identified it as the top "dream work destination." Additionally, Canada holds the seventh strongest passport worldwide, according to Henley and Partners.
These accolades enhance Canada's appeal as a destination for newcomers. In 2023, the country welcomed over 470,000 new permanent residents, and the 2024 Immigration Levels Plan aims to admit 485,000 more. While Canada's immigration minister, Marc Miller, has suggested future changes to immigration levels, he acknowledges the ongoing economic and social benefits of sustainable immigration.
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