The State of the 40-Hour Workweek

The 40-hour workweek has been a standard in industrialized society for many years. However, with increases in technology, many say that we will be seeing its decline as efficiency increases and work hours become shorter. Here is a look at how many people in each country are still working in excess of 40 hours per week.

The Working Week

In Canada, 68.8 percent of males and 36.3 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. Canadians work an average of 30.4 hours per week. In the U.S., 85.8 percent of males and 66.5 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. Americans work an average of 33.6 hours per week. In Mexico, 70 percent of males and 53 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. Mexicans work an average of 43.5 hours per week. In Argentina, 69.6 percent of males and 42.3 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. Argentineans work an average of 41.5 hours per week.

In Chile, 84.6 percent of males and 83.5 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. Chileans work an average of 40.6 hours per week. In the U.K., 65 percent of males and 27.3 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. Britons work an average of 39.6 hours per week. In France, 42.3 percent of males and 21.6 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. The French work an average of 37.55 hours per week. In Spain, 83.3 percent of males and 53.7 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. Spaniards work an average of 34.7 hours per week.

In Norway, 22.8 percent of males and 7.7 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. Norwegians work an average of 34.4 hours per week. In Turkey, 91.6 percent of males and 72.8 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. Turkish workers work an average of 49.7 hours per week. In Italy, 76.7 percent of males and 42.2 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. Italians work an average of 34.6 hours per week. In Japan, 82.2 percent of males and 49.8 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. The Japanese work an average of 40.7 hours per week. In Australia, 61.5 percent of males and 31.6 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week. Australians work an average of 34.5 hours per week.