The Countries Where Workers Get the Most (and Least) Paid Vacation Days

It's amazing what a few days lying on a beach can do for the mind, body, and soul - not to mention those workplace stress levels.

The only question is, have you got any paid vacation days left?

That answer will probably depend on where you live. Because as this latest study from Resume.io shows, the number of vacation days employees are entitled to vary drastically all over the world.

By analyzing the paid leave and paid public holidays laws in 197 countries, Resume.io researchers found that workers in Iran get the sweetest deal. They enjoy the most public holidays (27) and are entitled to 53(!) days off, with full pay, every single year.

Workers in the USA can only dream of that much vacation time. US federal law means businesses are legally obliged to offer workers precisely ZERO(!) paid vacation days. Instead, holiday allowance is a private agreement between employees and their employers, with the average US worker receiving 10 days of paid leave per year. Still not great!

See how that compares with the rest of the world in the charts and maps below.

Resume.io visual on countries with the most paid vacation days overall

Resume.io visual on countries with the most paid public holidays

Resume.io visual on countries with the most paid leave days

Ashley Murphy

Ashley graduated with a BA (Hons) in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Manchester. He began working as a freelance content writer in 2015. He specializes in technology, higher education, advertising copy, and current affairs.