The Rise of European Leisure

For over a century, a key feature of economic development in Europe has been a steady decline in working hours, reflecting both labor reforms and cultural changes in how people balance work and leisure.

At the start of the 2000s, weekly hours varied between countries. In the Netherlands, the average was about thirty-five. France reported thirty-six, Germany was slightly higher at thirty-six and a half, and Austria topped the list at nearly thirty-seven and a half.

By 2024, hours had fallen across all four. In the Netherlands, the figure dropped to 32.1. France declined to around 35.8. Germany and Austria both stood at about 33.9. Austria recorded the sharpest reduction, with weekly hours shrinking by about 3.6. The Netherlands continued to show the lowest level, largely due to the high share of part-time employment, especially among women.

Lower average weekly hours are part of a broader, structural transformation in European work culture. Key trends include a greater prioritization of work-life balance and a high prevalence of part-time work, particularly among women.