FYI, Filipinos Reportedly Have The Worst Work-Life Balance

Feeling tired every day after working nonstop to build your future? If you’ve been grinding for years, constantly turning down social invites in the hope that hard work and complete focus will eventually pay off, you’re not alone. Many find that their health and mental wellbeing are the real sacrifices made for the “dream life” they’re chasing.

And if you’re still contemplating whether or not to take that holiday leave, take it from us: You deserve a break.. The Philippines has recently ranked among the countries with the *worst* work-life balance. And that may be the sign that you need to give yourself the time off you deserve.

The Philippines Ranked Among Worst Countries In Terms Of Work-Life Balance

According to Remote's Global Life-Work Balance Index 2024, the Philippines ranked 59th out of 60 countries in work-life balance.

The latest index compared data from the top 60 GDP countries, and the results for the Philippines are not really that surprising, but frustrating on a *corporate level*. Scoring just 27.46 out of 100, the Philippines surpasses only Nigeria, which scored 16.15. This poor ranking highlights the significant challenges Filipinos face in achieving a healthy balance between their work and personal life.

In the data collection, work-life balance is not just about having a high salary or having flexibility. A true life-work balance means "rewarding results over hours spent at a desk, encouraging time off to recharge, and supporting parental duties with fair leave policies."

These three variables highlighted the importance of outcome-based work performance, the necessity of regular breaks for maintaining productivity and mental health, and the critical need for supportive leave policies that allow employees to balance work and family responsibilities.

Here’s What Remote's Global Life-Work Balance Data Collection Means For You

• Long Working Hours: Many employees in the Philippines find themselves working extended hours, often without adequate breaks or proper compensation. There are even instances where they are made to do work above their pay grade. Boundaries are somewhat lacking.
• High Stress Levels: Filipinos have a high tendency to “people please” and this manifests even in the workplace. However, the downside is the pressure to meet targets and the lack of support systems add to the stress, impacting mental and physical health.
• Limited Parental Leave: Fair leave policies, especially for new parents, are often lacking, making it difficult to balance family and work responsibilities.
• Insufficient Healthcare Support: Access to comprehensive healthcare is limited, affecting employees' ability to maintain their health and wellbeing. There are a lot of companies who do not offer an HMO or insurance policies as part of employee benefits. Sick leaves are limited and mental health breaks are often, if not always, discouraged or frowned upon.

What Are The Top 10 Cities With The Best Work-Life Balance In 2024?

Of course, there are countries who have *set the bar high* when it comes to prioritizing work-life balance. If you have the desire (and the means) to live and work abroad, you might wanna consider the Top 10 countries with the best work-life balance from the list. Here they are, including their capital cities:

1. New Zealand (Wellington)
2. Ireland (Dublin)
3. Belgium (Brussels)
4. Denmark (Copenhagen)
5. Canada (Ottawa)
6. Germany (Berlin)
7. Finland (Helsinki)
8. Australia (Canberra)
9. Norway (Oslo)
10. Spain (Madrid)