Flaunting an enviable lifestyle for the world to see, New Zealand just topped Remote’s Global Life-Work Balance Index for the third year in a row. NZ work-life ranking has always seen the country comfortably on top of the list owing to the region’s various employee benefits and inclusion norms that make it one of the best regions to build a career. The global life-work balance index offers us a closer look at the standards of work being enjoyed across borders, allowing businesses to reflect on their own organization and the lives they promote for their employees.
New Zealand’s work-life balance sets the standard, showcasing how it is still possible to prioritize employees in the modern world. (Image: Pexels)
Rest and Results: New Zealand’s Work-Life Balance Continues to Lead the Way
In a world where businesses are disrupting the peace with RTO policies and talk of reviving the 996 culture to eliminate all semblance of a normal life for their employees, New Zealand’s work-life standards are breaking away to showcase just how much harmony can be found with employees when you care about their well-being.
Remote’s Global Life-Work Balance Index evaluated 60 of the countries with the largest economies on aspects like maternity policies, wages, paid leave, working hours, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and other factors to create a comprehensive picture of the employment experience in the region. Each country was assigned a score out of 100, and NZ’s work-life ranking at the top of the chart came with a score of 86.87.
It isn’t a perfect result by any means, and there are likely multiple changes to be made in New Zealand’s systems as well, however, the country did manage to showcase itself in the best light. For comparison, the US was found to have the second-worst life-work balance out of the 60 countries, falling to the 59th position from the 55th position it held last year.
What Are the Reasons for NZ’s Thriving Work-Life Balance?
New Zealand’s thriving work-life balance, or life-work balance as emphasized by the report’s desire to put “life” first, is a result of a combination of factors. As of April 1, 2025, the minimum wage in the region stands at 23.50 New Zealand Dollars (13.75 US Dollars) per hour, while those who fall under the “training” or “starting out” categories can expect to see $18.80 New Zealand Dollars per hour. This makes it the second-highest of all the countries assessed in the study.
Additionally, all employees in the region are eligible for 4 weeks of annual holidays after 12 months of continuous employment, as well as 10 days of paid sick leave. When it comes to maternity leave, caregivers can expect up to 26 weeks’ leave from their jobs if certain conditions are met. Employees on primary carer leave may also be eligible for parental leave payments, which are funded by the government and paid by Inland Revenue.
Apart from its beautiful landscapes and breathtaking sights, New Zealand has an effective public healthcare system, reliable employee benefits, a culture of openness, and is even considered one of the most LGBT-friendly countries in the world. Overall, the quality of life offered by New Zealand not only makes it a hearty place to start a career but also a hospitable place to live.
What Are the Other Top Countries on the Global Life-Work Balance Index?
While NZ’s spot on the work-life index puts it at the top of the rankings, the other countries mentioned in the top five also offer some promising numbers.
Top Five Countries with the Best Life-Work Balance:
- New Zealand, Wellington (86.87)
- Ireland, Dublin (81.17)
- Belgium Brussels (75.91)
- Germany, Berlin (74.65)
- Norway, Oslo (74.20)
Of the countries that were studied, we also have an estimate of the regions that offer the weakest life-work balance. While Nigeria stands at the bottom of the list, the US doesn’t fare much better.
Bottom Five Countries with the Weakest Life-Work Balance:
- Nigeria, Abuja (26.67)
- United States, Washington, DC (31.17)
- Egypt, Cairo (35.77)
- Bangladesh, Dhaka (36.91)
- Ethiopia, Addis Ababa (37.61)
What Can We Learn from New Zealand’s Promise of a Work-Life Balance?
There are many reasons for NZ’s healthy work-life balance, but they all revolve around the Kiwi culture of working hard and respecting the life around you. The government’s employment guide states that, “Life is for living and employers generally respect that.” This attitude is invaluable to the employees in the region, who are allowed to live a life separate from their jobs and not for the explicit purpose of working a job.
The work culture seen in other parts of the world tends to allow employees some benefits and perks, but as part of additional rewards that aren’t equally enjoyed by all. The focus on hustling and working hard is not inherently wrong, but when all other factors are excluded from consideration, especially without fair compensation, things start to go awry.
While work opportunities and options for career growth abound in the US, the job market appears to be shrinking, particularly due to the rise of AI. With the concerns surrounding inflation and the pressure of keeping up with the changing costs and regulations, the country could witness a mass exodus of talent to other regions once the well of optimism for a US-bound career dries up. Now is the time to make changes that allow for a reset in the work-life balance available to workers, to ensure that continued success is promised to everyone involved.
Impressed by NZ’s work-life index ranking? Is there a case to be made for prioritizing people over profits? Let us know what you think. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.