Men looking tired at the work desk

In 2023, 7.1% of employed people in the EU worked long hours in their main job. 

Long working hours refer to those workers who usually spend 49 hours or more per week at work. Across the EU countries, Greece had the highest share of workers with long hours (11.6%), followed by Cyprus (10.4%) and France (10.1%). Meanwhile, the lowest rates were recorded in Bulgaria (0.4%), Lithuania and Latvia (1.1% each). 

Source dataset: lfsa_qoe_32a

A higher rate of self-employed people worked long hours (29.3% of total self-employed people) compared with employees (3.6% of total employees). 

Long working hours were more common among skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers (27.5% of all skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers) and managers (21.9%). All other occupational groups, as defined by the international standard classification of occupations (ISCO) averaged up to 7.3%. 

This article marks the International Workers' Day celebrated annually on 1 May.

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Methodological notes

  • Main job: the job where the respondent usually works the most hours (i.e. with the longest hours usually worked, as defined in the current international statistical standards on working time) except people on parental leave performing some work.
  • Long working hours: 49 hours or more per week. 
  • Usual working hours: the number of hours usually worked per week comprises all hours including extra hours, either paid or unpaid, which the person normally works, but excludes the travelling time between home and workplace and the time taken for the main meal break (usually at lunchtime).


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