- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Mon, 13 Oct 2025 02:28 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
List of Countries With 6-hour Workdays: As nations around the world come to understand the value of productivity, balance, and mental health, the idea of long workdays is gradually eroding. Many countries have experimented with 6-hour workdays and 4-day work weeks in recent years in an effort to encourage people to work more efficiently rather than more. Among these, Finland and Australia are setting the standard globally by emphasising flexible schedules that allow workers to have more personal time while still being highly productive at work.
Along with lowering stress and raising general happiness among employees, this change has also improved job satisfaction. Sweden and Italy have also joined the movement, implementing reduced work hours in specific industries and businesses. Positive outcomes from these experiments include improved employee performance, sustained motivation, and healthier lifestyles. A new era of professional culture where productivity and well-being go hand in hand is being ushered in by the global trend towards shorter workdays.
Finland: 6-Hour Workdays and a 4-Day Week for Better Work-Life Balance
Regarding flexible work schedules, Finland has emerged as one of the most forward-thinking nations. In an effort to increase worker satisfaction and productivity, several Finnish government agencies and businesses are experimenting with 6-hour workdays and 4-day work weeks. The concept is straightforward: more focus, fewer hours. In Finland, workers have expressed feeling more motivated, less stressed, and happier at work.
Former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin once favoured a shortened workweek as a way to allow people to spend more time with their families, engage in hobbies, and relax. A number of businesses in places like Helsinki and Oulu have already embraced this contemporary schedule, despite the fact that it is not yet a national law. Finland's strategy demonstrates how prioritising well-being can boost productivity and creativity in the workplace.
Australia: 6 to 7 Hours a Day, 4 Days a Week – A Growing Trend
Australia is also seeing a strong move toward shorter working hours and a 4-day work week. Several Australian organizations and startups have adopted schedules where employees work 6 to 7 hours per day across four days, without cutting salaries. This trend began as a trial during the pandemic but became popular because it boosted productivity and job satisfaction. Many employees reported that they could complete their work efficiently within shorter hours, provided they stayed focused.
Some companies noticed improved performance and fewer sick leaves. The Australian model promotes flexibility, allowing people to maintain a healthy work-life balance while staying committed to their goals. Experts believe that this trend could become more common across the country in the near future.
Italy: Moving Toward a 6-Hour Workday for More Productivity
The 6-hour workday has also been investigated in Italy as a modern approach to boost output and lower burnout. However, the actual working hours in Italy is 40 hours per week but on average it is reported that it is 37.5 hours as per expatica. Some businesses, particularly in the technology and industrial sectors, have started experimenting with shorter workdays in an effort to foster a more productive and happy workplace.
Shorter workdays can help balance personal and professional lives and reduce stress, according to Italian labour organisations, which back these initiatives. Even though it's not yet the norm, Italy's increasing interest in working fewer hours demonstrates how traditional work patterns are changing for a healthier future.
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Sweden: Average 30-Hour Work Week Shows Changing Trends
One of the first nations to experiment with reduced work hours was Sweden. According to numerous studies and reports, including data from 2012 to 2022, people in Sweden actually work an average of roughly 30 hours per week, even though the official full-time work schedule is 40 hours. Six-hour days were experimented with by numerous businesses and government organisations, particularly in Gothenburg, to enhance the quality of life for workers.
Employees felt happier, healthier and more productive as a result of the remarkable outcomes. The example of Sweden demonstrates that working fewer hours does not diminish productivity; rather, it fosters creativity and concentration. Sweden has consistently encouraged other countries to reconsider their work practices and put their health ahead of long workdays.