The best European countries for work-life balance in 2025

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

In a 2025 survey by Gallup, a global analytics and advice firm, 10,000 workers revealed that personal well-being is the most important factor when considering a job offer, followed by salary and job security. When it comes to work-life balance, Europe stands out as one of the best regions in the world. This ranking focuses on factors like maternity leave, sick pay, working hours, healthcare, and social rights. The global score out of 100 takes into account annual leave, minimum wage, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, happiness index, and more.

Click on for the top 30 countries in the ranking.

30. Lithuania (54.41)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

Lithuania offers decent healthcare and paid leave but struggles with long working hours, lower maternity benefits, and lower wages.

28. Switzerland (55.4)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

With high salaries and excellent healthcare, Switzerland provides strong worker support. However, long working hours and lower statutory leave make it difficult for employees to find true balance.

26. Albania (56.25)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

Albania's work-life balance score suffers from long working hours, lower wages, and limited paid sick leave.

24. Italy (56.81)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

Italy has a lower work-life balance score, with long working hours and moderate maternity benefits. While healthcare is good, more inclusivity and better family policies are needed.

22. Poland (59.39)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

Poland offers healthcare and a reasonable minimum wage, but long working hours and lower maternity pay lower its overall work-life score.

20. Latvia (60.51)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

In Latvia, workers enjoy healthcare, paid leave, and a reasonable minimum wage. However, its longer working hours and lower inclusivity somewhat affect the country's work-life balance score.

18. United Kingdom (62.12)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

In the UK, workers enjoy paid leave, healthcare, and a moderate workweek. However, with the second-lowest maternity pay rate in Europe and longer hours, it falls short of top-ranking countries.

16. Sweden (63.78)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

Sweden is known for its progressive social policies, including paid parental leave and healthcare. However, its work-life balance is slightly impacted by security concerns, preventing it from achieving a perfect score.

14. Croatia (64.2)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

In Croatia, workers benefit from healthcare and paid leave, but longer hours impact work-life balance. While improving, there's still room for stronger family and LGBTQ+ policies.

12. Portugal (67.98)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

Portugal offers good healthcare and reasonable working hours. However, lower wages compared to other European nations hold it back.

10. Spain (68.45)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

Spain offers great statutory paid leave, healthcare, and generous annual leave (36 days). While working hours are slightly higher, strong inclusivity and family policies make it an attractive option for workers.

8. Luxembourg (70.21)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

Luxembourg's excellent healthcare, statutory leave, and high minimum wage make it a top contender for work-life balance.

4. Belgium (73.26)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

Belgium's work-life balance thrives with excellent healthcare, statutory leave, and a good minimum wage. Its focus on inclusivity and lower working hours make it a great place for employees seeking harmony.

2. Iceland (76.77)

30. Lithuania (54.41), 28. Switzerland (55.4), 26. Albania (56.25), 24. Italy (56.81), 22. Poland (59.39), 20. Latvia (60.51), 18. United Kingdom (62.12), 16. Sweden (63.78), 14. Croatia (64.2), 12. Portugal (67.98), 10. Spain (68.45), 8. Luxembourg (70.21), 4. Belgium (73.26), 2. Iceland (76.77)

Iceland offers an excellent work-life balance with 38 days of annual leave, 100% sick pay, great healthcare, and strong LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Its high happiness index makes it a top choice for work flexibility.

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