Having an abundance of annual leave and not having to worry about being paid when off, taking care of new additions to the family might seem like a dream to some.
But for others, who live in some of the countries with the best work-life balance according to a new study, it's their reality.
The Global Life-Work Balance Index 2025 looks into the world's top 60 GDP nations and considers a range of factors including statutory annual leave, access to healthcare, public safety, and average hours worked per week.
From this, the best countries for a work-life balance are identified, and the UK doesn't even make the top 10.
1. New Zealand
At the top of the Global Life-Work Balance Index 2025 is New Zealand which offers four weeks of paid holiday a year.
New Zealand came out as the very best country to head to for a better work-life balance, according to Remote's new index.
The destination scored 86.59 out of 100 and impressed with its statutory annual leave allowance and sick pay.
Workers in New Zealand are entitled to four weeks of paid holiday leave every 12 months of employment.
As for sick days, employees can take up to 10 days off after working for the same employer for six months.
It's quite an understanding policy too, with workers able to take the sick days if their spouse, partner or child needs to be cared for due to illness, too.
For employees welcoming a new child to their family, they may be entitled to parental leave pay for 26 weeks (6 months), if they meet the necessary requirements.
2. Ireland
Ireland ranks second and gives workers at least four weeks paid leave.
Much closer to home, Ireland ranked second overall and scored an impressive 81.17 out of 100.
Full-time workers living on the Emerald Isle are entitled to four weeks basic annual leave, but could get even more depending on their contract.
Irish employees can also take up to five paid sick days a year, if they have worked for more than 13 weeks.
Expectant mothers are required to take two weeks off, at least, before the due date and at least four weeks after the baby is born.
They can get a maximum of 26 weeks fully paid and 16 additional weeks unpaid when the maternity leave ends.
3. Belgium
In third place is Belgium, which gives its workers 20 days off a year if they work five days a week.
Another European spot, Belgium, scored 75.91 and secured third place in the index.
Known for its delicious chocolate and beer, employees in Belgium have plenty of other perks for living in the country too.
They get 20 days off a year if they work five days a week, or 24 if they show up to the office six days a week.
As for maternity leave, mothers must take at least one week off before the baby is due and then nine weeks once the child is born. Those who have twins get an extra two weeks.
Belgium's Health Insurance Fund pays 82 per cent of the salary for the first 30 days and then 75 per cent.
Meanwhile, paternity leave is 15 days and will be paid in full by the employer for the first three days. The Health Insurance Fund then covers the remaining days at 82 per cent of the gross salary.
4. Germany
Germany ranks fourth and employees in this European country get at least 20 days off.
Scoring 74.37 out of 100, Germany placed fourth overall and offers employees a range of leave options.
Full-time workers get at least 20 days off, or 24 if they work six days a week. They are also entitled to nine paid public holidays a year.
As for maternity leave, mothers can take up to six weeks of pregnancy leave before the baby is due.
Once the child is born, they are entitled to at least eight weeks off. Parents can also take extended leave for up to 36 months until the child turns three.
5. Norway
Norway ranks fifth and offers working mothers 54 weeks maternity leave paid at 80 per cent.
A rating of 74.20 out of 100 brings Norway to number five on the list - and it has one of the most generous parental leave policies.
Working mothers in Norway don't have to worry too much about funding their maternity leave, as they can take 54 weeks off after the baby is born, paid at 80 per cent of their usual pay.
Or, if they choose to take only 44 weeks, the employee will receive 100 per cent of their pay.
The leave can even be split with their spouse or partner, except for three weeks before the birth and six weeks afterwards.
Other days off include hospitalisation leave, which entitles parents to 10 days annual leave to help care for their child if ill.
Sick leave totals to up to 52 weeks and employers must pay up to the 16th day. Afterwards, they can claim from the National Insurance Scheme for 50 weeks.
As for annual leave, employees part of a union are entitled to five weeks off, fully paid. But those not in a union only get four weeks and one day.
6. Denmark
Meanwhile Denmark gives workers five weeks of paid annual leave a year.
With a rating of 73.76 out of 100, Denmark sits at sixth place and offers employees a generous amount of days off.
Full-time workers get five weeks of paid annual leave, under the Holiday Act. They can also carry over unused days from the previous year.
Unlike most countries, employees are entitled to full sick pay regardless of how long they have worked at the business for and the length of the illness.
Employers must apply for sick pay if the worker is off for more than 30 days.
Maternity leave is split as four weeks before the due date and at least 14 weeks afterwards.
Mothers are paid 50 per cent of their salary, but employers can agree to pay full if they wish.
Meanwhile fathers can take two weeks before and 14 weeks after birth. They are not entitled to any pay but can claim benefits.
7. Canada
In seventh place is Canada, where employees are entitled to two weeks of paid leave after working one year.
Each Canadian province varies with its time off laws, but the country still managed to score 72.89 out of 100 in the index.
After one year working, employees are entitled to two weeks of paid leave. After five years of employment, they are entitled to at least three years. Those who have worked 10 years can take at least four weeks.
But the policies are put in place varyingly and businesses can give their employees unlimited time off.
As for public holidays, workers are entitled to these no matter how long they have been employed for.
The amount of sick leave varies by province but employees are entitled to protected time off when ill.
Likewise, maternity leave can also differ but employees are given at least 15 weeks and 35 weeks of parental leave.
8. Australia
Australia offers four weeks of paid annual leave a year and places eighth overall.
Ranking eighth, Australia draws in hordes with its great weather and relaxed lifestyle - reflected in its score of 71.53 out of 100.
Those working on salaried contracts are paid four weeks of annual leave a year, whereas shift workers bag an extra week.
In Australia, maternity leave and maternity pay are two separate entities - the first is given by the employer and involves their job being held for the set amount of time, and the latter is paid by the government.
Workers can take up to two years unpaid parental leave, used by either parent, and can return to their job afterwards.
In addition, up to 20 weeks of paid leave can be split between the couple.
9. Finland
The happiest nation on earth, Finland, placed ninth overall.
With a solid score of 71.42 out of 100, Finland boasts some flexible work-life balance policies.
This is perhaps reflected in the country's happiness, as it was crowned the happiest nation on earth for the ninth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report 2026.
Employees can take between 24 and 30 days off, fully paid, but it depends on their contract.
There are also 11 public holidays that workers are entitled to, and if they choose to go into the office on these days they can bag double pay too.
Nine days of sick leave are given a year, and expectant mothers can take up to 105 unpaid days of maternity leave, which can begin between 30 and 50 days before the due date.
Mothers who take time off can also claim money from the Finnish Social Insurance Institution, Kela.
As for the fathers, they can take up to 54 days of unpaid paternity leave.
10. Spain
Meanwhile, another European spot - Spain - rounded off the top ten
Rounding off the top 10 countries that promote a good work-life balance is Spain, another European spot.
It scored 70.53 out of 100 overall and offers full-time workers 23 days paid leave. Full-time employees can also make use of 14 paid public holidays too.
Maternity leave is 19 weeks per parent and they don't have to worry about cash during this time as the Social Security pays the salary in full.
The policy is also quite flexible - the first six weeks must be taken after the birth but 11 can be used flexibly in the child's first year. Another two weeks can be claimed before they turn eight.
The top countries for work-life balance in 2025
- New Zealand
- Ireland
- Belgium
- Germany
- Norway
- Denmark
- Canada
- Australia
- Finland
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- United Kingdom
- Argentina
- Austria
- France
- Poland
- Sweden
- Hungary
- Greece
- Czech Republic
- Italy
- Japan
- Switzerland
- Brazil
- Chile
- Romania
- Malaysia
- Taiwan
- Peru
- South Korea
- Colombia
- South Africa
- Indonesia
- Saudi Arabia
- Israel
- Ukraine
- Vietnam
- Thailand
- Philippines
- Russia
- Kazakhstan
- UAE
- Mexico
- Hong Kong
- A algeria
- Turkey
- Iran
- Morocco
- China
- India
- Bangladesh
- Qatar
- Pakistan
- Iraq
- Ethiopia
- Egypt <