BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Ireland has been ranked the second-best country in the world for life-work balance in a recent study by Remote, a global employment expert, and is seen as a major success story. This notable jump from 21st place in 2023 to 2nd place in 2024 places Ireland ahead of every other European country, with New Zealand keeping the top spot globally.
The study is based on a range of factors, including minimum wage, statutory sick pay, maternity leave, employee safety, and public happiness.
The United Kingdom, on the other hand, has seen a decline in its life-work balance ranking, falling from 8th to 15th place. The drop is attributed to an increase in average working hours and a decline in public happiness, leaving it 13 places behind Ireland. This gap highlights Ireland’s growing strength in ensuring better working conditions and personal well-being for its workforce.
The significant rise in Ireland’s ranking is due to the introduction of statutory sick pay, a key factor that has pushed the country ahead of many of its European peers. Ireland’s overall score is 77.89 out of 100 with New Zealand scoring 80.76.
According to Barbara Matthews, Chief People Officer at Remote, the focus should be on creating environments that support both personal and professional success. She praised Ireland for embracing a progressive approach to life-work balance and prioritising employee well-being, which has made a measurable impact.
European countries overall continue to perform well in the rankings, with seven of the Top 10 spots going to nations on the continent. Belgium, Denmark, and Germany have also shown strong performances, with Belgium and Denmark tied for 3rd place. These countries all offer high wages, substantial leave entitlements, and strong safety measures, making them attractive places to live and work.
The study also draws attention to the United States, which ranked 55th out of 60, making it one of the lowest-scoring countries for life-work balance. This marks a two-place drop from last year, driven by an increase in average working hours and a low safety score. The findings suggest that while many European nations are making strides in improving work-life balance, countries like the United States are struggling to keep up.
For Ireland, the jump in the rankings is a positive sign of progress, it also signals that the country’s focus on worker rights, safety, and support systems is beginning to bear fruit. Matthews notes that, while countries like Ireland and New Zealand are leading the way, many nations still have a long road ahead to create balanced, sustainable working environments.
In the broader context of global employment, the demand for better life-work balance is becoming a crucial factor in attracting and keeping talent. With increased awareness of burnout, stress, and mental health, people are looking for more than just high salaries. They want the flexibility to enjoy life outside of work, and countries like Ireland are showing that it is possible to strike that balance. However, as Matthews points out, there is still more to be done to ensure that every nation can offer its citizens the opportunity to thrive both personally and professionally.
As the global competition for talent grows, countries that prioritise life-work balance will continue to stand out, and Ireland’s rise in the ranks proves it is becoming a leader in this crucial area.
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