Which countries have the most vacation days? (2024)

BY Dexter Tilo 08 Mar 2024

Iran ranks first in the list of nations with the most paid leave days, with a total of 52, according to a new report.

SEO agency ClickSlice analysed the number of paid vacation days across 197 nations, particularly their minimum paid vacation days and paid public holidays.

Emerging on top is Iran with the highest 53 days of paid leave days, including 26 paid vacation days and 27 paid public holidays.

_{Source: Clickslice}

According to the report, the average length of leave coverage spans 18.2 days yearly, despite many countries considering the four-week leave as the norm.

The average number of paid public holidays worldwide is 11.8 days, with only six countries having more than 20.

In Europe, Belgium, Finland, France, and Norway has the highest paid vacation days with 30 each. San Marino has the most public holidays with 20 days annually, according to the data.

Lowest number of days of paid leave

Meanwhile, Micronesia emerged as the country with the lowest number of paid leave days, with only nine, all of them accounting for paid holidays.

The United States ranked second, with only 10 paid holidays and no statutory paid vacation days.

According to the report, employees in the US get 14 days of leave after their first year on the job, with 15% of civilian workers getting no paid leave at all.

_{Source: Clickslice}

Vacation days and mental health

Joshua George, founder of ClickSlice, said their analysis puts an emphasis on the "pressing global equity issue" of paid time off and mental health support in the workplace.

The findings come as mental health among employees are not showing signs of improvement, despite more employers taking their mental health initiatives more seriously.

"While extra time off supports health and productivity, businesses can also enable flexibility through remote work options. The key is open conversations on balancing employee wellbeing, company goals, and national norms," George said in a statement.