Eurostat data released: Turkey ranks first in Europe for weekly working hours

The latest data published by Eurostat, the official statistical office of the European Union, has revealed the disparity in weekly working hours across Europe. According to the assessment, which covers the actual hours worked in their main jobs by full-time and part-time employees in the 20-64 age group, Turkey ranked first in Europe with an average of 42.4 hours per week.

The average weekly working time across the EU was calculated at 35.9 hours. In the table, which includes EU countries, candidate countries, and members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), working hours ranged from 31.9 hours in the Netherlands to 42.4 hours in Turkey.

Turkey was followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina with 40.9 hours and Serbia with 40.6 hours. These three countries stood out as those where the average weekly working time exceeded 40 hours. The rest of the list included Greece with 39.6 hours, North Macedonia with 39.5 hours, and Bulgaria with 38.7 hours.

SHORTEST DURATION IN THE NETHERLANDS

According to Eurostat data, the country with the lowest average weekly working time in Europe was the Netherlands. The average weekly working time for employees in the Netherlands was measured at 31.9 hours. The high rate of part-time employment in the country is cited as one of the primary reasons for this result.

The Netherlands was followed by Germany, Norway, and Denmark with 33.9 hours. Other countries where the average working time remained below 35 hours were Austria, Belgium, and Finland. The data indicated that working hours in Northern and Western Europe tend to be shorter compared to Eastern and Southeastern Europe.

Among the major EU economies, Germany stood out as the country with the shortest weekly working time at 33.9 hours. The average duration in France was 35.6 hours, while it was recorded as 38.7 hours in Poland, 38.2 hours in Romania, 37.5 hours in Czechia, and 37.4 hours in Hungary.

The report also included differences between occupational groups. Across the EU, skilled workers in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries were the group that worked the longest, with an average of 42 hours per week. This group was followed by managers with 40.6 hours and armed forces personnel with 39.4 hours.

The occupational group with the lowest average weekly working time was determined to be those in elementary occupations requiring no specific skills, at 31.8 hours. The average duration for clerical support workers was calculated at 34 hours, and 34.5 hours for service and sales sector workers.