In 2019, Iceland made headlines when it became one of the first countries in the world to adopt the four-day working week, not through a general law, but through agreements allowing workers to negotiate shorter weeks or reduced hours. Five years on, the results are indisputable.
Initial fears finally allayed
The Icelandic experiment began in 2015 with a pilot phase involving around 2,500 workers, or just over 1% of the country’s working population. Given the resounding success of this initiative, with 86% of the employees involved expressing their support, the project was formalized in 2019 . Today, almost 90% of Icelandic workers benefit from a working week reduced to 36 hours, compared with 40 previously, with no loss of pay.
Initial concerns about the four-day week were widespread, both in Iceland and around the world. It was feared that productivity would fall, business costs would rise and service levels would be hard to maintain. However, the Icelandic experience dismissed these fears out of hand.
Icelandic reports show that productivity has remained stable, and even increased in some sectors. One of the keys to this success lies in improving workers’ mental health, a crucial aspect highlighted by Generation Z. Stress reduction, combined with a better work-life balance, has had a significant positive impact on employee well-being.
Technology, a key success factor
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Icelandic experience is the promotion of greater gender equality. By encouraging men to become more involved in family life, the four-day week has contributed to a better sharing of domestic and parental responsibilities. Freed from traditional time constraints, men have been able to devote more time to their children and play an active role in household chores.
Unlike some countries, such as Belgium, where the four-day week involves compensating for hours not worked by working longer days, Iceland keeps wages and working conditions unchanged despite the reduction in working hours. This approach has been made possible in part by a proactive policy of digitizing companies and public services.
The Icelandic government has invested heavily in digital infrastructure, offering some of the world’s best internet connections, including in rural areas. This robust infrastructure has made it possible to support teleworking and maintain productivity despite the reduction in office hours.
What’s more, generation Z, having grown up in a digital environment, has adapted naturally to this new way of working, promoting a smooth transition to the four-day week.
An inspiring model for the rest of the world
The impact of the four-day week is not limited to the world of work. Icelanders report a significant improvement in their quality of life. They have more time for leisure, family and friends. Stress linked to time constraints has decreased, and people feel happier and more fulfilled overall.
María Hjálmtýsdóttir, activist and teacher, testifies: “The shorter working week is a great success in Iceland and has changed my family’s life. For 90% of Icelanders, the 36-hour week means less stress, more job satisfaction and more time to enjoy life.”
The Icelandic experience serves as an inspiring example for other countries considering the adoption of the four-day week. Pilot projects are underway in Germany, Portugal, Spain and the UK, while Belgium has legislated in favor of the four-day week, but with a system of compensation for hours not worked that limits its adoption.
Despite the success of the four-day week, the question of EU membership continues to divide Icelandic society. Next Saturday’s early parliamentary elections will be an opportunity for citizens to vote on this crucial issue. Only the Social Democrats and the liberal Reform party are openly in favor of European integration, while the parties in the ruling coalition (environmentalists, conservatives and liberals) are opposed.
Iceland’s experience shows that the four-day week is not only viable, but can also bring significant benefits for both workers and society as a whole. By putting the well-being of individuals at the heart of its priorities, Iceland has created a more humane and sustainable working model, which could well inspire other countries to follow its example. By championing this cause, Generation Z has helped pave the way for a future where work adapts to people’s needs, rather than the other way round. Iceland’s success proves that their predictions were far from utopian, and that a profound change in our relationship with work is not only possible, but desirable.