Belgium again scored high, placing third in an annual global index comparing 60 countries with the highest GDPs worldwide. Seven out of this year’s Top 10 are in Europe.
The index – conducted by HR platform Remote – weighs factors such as minimum sick days, paid maternity leave, minimum and average wage, and overall happiness and is based on fresh data from April this year. Remote started compiling an annual work-life index since 2023.
Globally, work-life balance now ranks alongside job security as the most important factor for workers considering current jobs and future employment, surpassing pay, according to a survey from Dutch HR consulting firm Ranstad.
“Cementing its place in the top three (…) life-work balance is becoming just as much a hallmark of Belgian culture as chocolate, waffles and beer – and not just because it has one of the highest minimum wages in Europe (topped only by the United Kingdom and Germany),” Remote said.
Based on a 38-hour work week, the current minimum wage in Belgium stands at €12.82, one of the highest in the European Union. Since 2023, private sector employers in Belgium with 20 or more workers must implement the right to disconnect – the ability of workers to disconnect from work related communications and activities outside their normal working hours.
While New Zealand took Remote’s top spot this year, seven European countries made it to the Top 10. Ireland led Belgium in second, and Germany, Norway and Denmark took fourth, fifth, and sixth place respectively. Spain and Finland tailed in ninth and tenth. The US rank 59 out of 60, Nigeria took the bottom spot.
(vib)