According to the most recently published data from Eurostat, Greek workers claim the top position in Europe regarding working hours. This phenomenon highlights significant dimensions of the Greek labor market and raises questions about work-life balance.
Record working hours for Greeks
Greece presents the highest percentage of workers aged 20 to 64 who are employed with extended schedules in the European Union. Specifically, 12.4% of Greek workers dedicate more than 49 hours weekly to their main job, a percentage that more than doubles the European average of 6.6%.
Meanwhile, Greek workers are officially employed an average of 39.8 hours per week, approximately 4 hours more than the European average of 36 hours. This difference places our country at the top of the ranking, followed by Bulgaria with 39 hours, Poland with 38.9 hours, and Romania with 38.8 hours.
Self-employment and working hours
The structure of Greek employment largely explains this phenomenon. Self-employed individuals and freelancers constitute a significant portion of the workforce, with 27.5% of this category working long hours. In contrast, only 3.4% of salaried employees exceed 49 working hours weekly.
This significant difference reflects the pressures faced by small and medium-sized professionals to maintain their activities. In many cases, overwork is not a conscious choice but a necessary condition for survival.
European trends and comparisons
At the European level, the percentage of workers with 49 or more weekly working hours shows a declining trend. From 9.8% in 2014, it decreased to 8.4% in 2019 and further to 6.6% in 2024.
After Greece, the highest percentages are recorded in Cyprus with 10% and France with 9.9%. Conversely, the countries with the lowest percentages are:
• Bulgaria: 0.4%
• Latvia: 1.0%
• Lithuania: 1.4%
In Central European countries, the picture differs significantly. The Netherlands maintains the shortest working week with 32.1 hours, followed by Denmark, Germany, and Austria with 33.9 hours each.
Professional sectors and extended schedules
According to the international classification of occupations, the extension of working hours appears more frequently in specific sectors. Skilled workers in agriculture, forestry, and fishing present the highest percentage at 26.2%, followed by directors and managers at 21.1%.
Productivity and quality of life
The critical question that arises concerns the effectiveness of this work model. Despite the extended working hours, Greece continues to face challenges in balancing work, wages, and leisure time.
The data indicates that the country maintains the crown of the most “tired” European country, with a limited number of well-paid workers relative to the work offered. This phenomenon raises serious questions about the long-term sustainability and quality of life of Greek workers.
