According to Eurostat data, the Netherlands has the shortest working week in the EU, while Greece has the longest.

According to Eurostat data, the average hours worked in the European Union is 35.9 hours per week, but there are significant differences between countries. The Netherlands has the shortest working week, at 31.9 hours, while Greece and Turkey are at the top of the ranking, with 39.6 and 42.4 hours. The data includes both candidate countries for EU membership and member states of the European Free Trade Association.

Experts emphasize that a work schedule that is too long can lead to decreased productivity and fatigue. For example, four out of ten Dutch people work part-time, which contributes to the low average.

In Germany, the average is 33.9 hours, and in France, it is 35.6 hours. Romania stands at 38.2 hours, while Poland is at 38.7 hours. Agricultural workers have the longest working weeks, at about 42 hours, while employees in the service sector work, on average, 34.5 hours. Factors such as unions and economic structures influence these differences.