Craving a better work-life balance?
The third annual ranking of the Global Work-Life Balance Index has been revealed, which assessed 60 countries setting the gold standard based on factors such as annual vacation, paid maternity leave, sick leave, healthcare, public safety, public happiness, LGBTQ+ inclusivity and average working hours.
Remote, a global authority on remote employment, issued each country an overall work-life balance score out of 100, and these are the 10 countries that came out on top.
What country has the best work-life balance?
New Zealand topped the index for the third year in a row thanks to strong scores in areas like annual leave, safety, public happiness, and one of the world’s highest minimum wages—making it one of the best countries for work-life balance.
While hard work is valued, Kiwi culture embraces the idea that “life is for living,” and employers generally respect that balance.
Where does Canada rank in work-life balance?
Canada may have slipped two spots this year, but it remained the only country in the Americas to crack the top 10 for work-life balance, coming in at number 7.
In sharp contrast to the U.S., which ranked 59th out of 60, “The Great White North” delivered strong results across multiple metrics in the 2025 study.
Canada stood out for generous statutory sick pay, solid public safety, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity, not to mention its universal government-funded healthcare system—a key difference from the U.S.
While Canadian workplaces value punctuality and reliability, employees generally maintain a clear boundary between their professional and personal lives.
What are the top 10 best countries for work-life balance?
- New Zealand
- Ireland
- Belgium
- Germany
- Norway
- Denmark
- Canada
- Australia
- Spain
- Finland
For more information about Remote's Global Life-Work Balance Index 2025, click here.
RECOMMENDED:
Best things to do in Montreal right now
Complete guide to the best restaurants in Montreal
Best attractions in Montreal