At a time when people are sensibly deriding toxic work culture norms, companies have been forced to embrace employee welfare and mental rejuvenation as an important part of their daily operations. It has led to more balanced work hours and supportive practices across the world.
Still, economic pressures and lifestyle challenges do determine how long individuals stay at their jobs to earn and make ends meet. In certain countries, economic needs, lack of automation and household and industry pressures dictate long working hours. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) 2025 data, here are the 10 hardest-working countries in the world based on the breakdown of the average number of hours spent at work by men and women.
Top 10 Hardest-Working Nations
Bhutan takes the top spot in the list according to the ILO 2025 data, as people put in an average of 54.5 hours per week. Bhutan has embraced a strong work ethic, especially in its influential agriculture and tourism sectors. While men generally stay at work for 55 hours weekly, women give on average 53.7 hours a week to their jobs.
Second, Sudan has shown an average work week spanning 50.8 hours. Traditional values and hierarchy are highly prioritised by companies and employees in Sudan, where men often spend 51.9 hours at work a week, while women employees work 45.7 hours at their jobs.
Only marginally lower at third is Lesotho, which records an average work week of 50.2 hours. The country’s workforce depends largely on agriculture and migrant labour. At fourth and fifth, the Republic of the Congo and the UAE have an average work week of 48.7 and 48.4 hours, respectively. Next up in the list are Sao Tome and Principe (48.2 hours), Jordan (47.8 hours), Liberia (47.5 hours), Pakistan (47.5 hours) and Qatar (46.8 hours).
| Rank | Country | Avg Weekly Hours Worked (ILO 2025) | Avg Weekly Hours Worked (Men) | Avg Weekly Hours Worked (Women) |
| 1. | Bhutan | 54.5 | 55 | 53.7 |
| 2. | Sudan | 50.8 | 51.9 | 45.7 |
| 3. | Lesotho | 50.2 | 51.5 | 48.4 |
| 4. | Republic of the Congo | 48.7 | 49.2 | 48.3 |
| 5. | United Arab Emirates | 48.4 | 48.3 | 48.5 |
| 6. | Sao Tome and Principe | 48.2 | 47.5 | 48.9 |
| 7. | Jordan | 47.8 | 48.5 | 43.6 |
| 8. | Liberia | 47.5 | 49 | 45.9 |
| 9. | Pakistan | 47.5 | 51.1 | 35 |
| 10. | Qatar | 46.8 | 46.6 | 47.6 |
Where India Stands Among Hardest-Working Nations
India, which isn’t part of the top 10 list of hardest-working nations, stands at 15th with an average working week stretching up to 45.8 hours. In India, there is a significant gender-based divide in terms of time spent at the job over a week. While men spend 49.8 hours on average a week at their respective professional jobs, women average only 35.9 hours. It could be down to the nation’s unemployment rates and traditional gender norms, leading to an imbalance of men and women professionals in the workforce.
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