People around the world may disagree on plenty, but many can agree they wouldn’t mind more time off. Still, how much leave allowance workers actually get varies dramatically depending on where they live.
Some countries grant their employees weeks of protected leave, while others barely meet double digits. Cultural expectations, labor laws, and workplace norms all influence how much time people are actually able to take off, and whether they feel they can use it.
United States – 0 Days
Credit: flickr
Federal law doesn’t guarantee paid vacation in the U.S., which sets it apart from many developed countries. Private employers decide how much to offer, if anything. On average, workers get about 12 days off and mainly take 11. But even so, more than half say they won’t use all of it.
Philippines – 5 Days
Credit: Reddit
While staff at larger companies in the Philippines might receive 15 to 17 days off, the legal minimum remains just five. Scheduling can be difficult in workplaces where leave is technically part of the job. Over the past few years, labor advocates have pushed for stronger protections, but the pace of change remains slow.
China – 5–15 Days
Credit: Reddit
National holidays like Golden Week or Lunar New Year are basically the only times when people take a step away from work, since vacation outside those periods can feel out of place in several workplaces. Getting several days off in a row remains unusual, especially in private-sector jobs. Although workers typically receive between five and 15 days of vacation entitlement, they often don’t use the total amount.
Thailand – 6 Days
Credit: Reddit
Long breaks in Thailand aren’t all that common, mostly because people plan rest around public holidays. A recent labor survey showed that the pattern holds true across industries. Workers usually start with six vacation days after a year on the job—a rule that’s been in place for decades. Bigger companies may offer more over time, but small businesses don’t go beyond the minimum.
Nigeria – 6–12 Days
Credit: Reddit
Job security concerns keep many Nigerian workers from using their full vacation time. Even in formal roles where six to 12 annual leaves are written into contracts, a few individuals feel uneasy about taking PTOs. Some worry about being seen as replaceable or missing out on opportunities.
Singapore – 7–14 Days
Credit: flickr
Employers approve leave without issue, but there’s an unwritten rule to avoid being offline for too long. Some workers report logging in during holidays to stay in sync with projects. That habit keeps true downtime to a minimum, though employees in Singapore are entitled to between seven and 14 paid days off, depending on how long they’ve been with their company.
Malaysia – 8–16 Days
Credit: Reddit
Annual leave in Malaysia begins with around eight days and increases with years on the job. However, several employees say peak seasons make it nearly impossible to step away. In sectors like manufacturing and hospitality, managers rotate breaks carefully—there’s even a practice of “soft denial,” where requests get delayed until they’re no longer practical.
Micronesia – 10-15 Days
Credit: iStockphoto
Formal jobs in Micronesia cluster around government offices and small-scale businesses, both shaped by a narrow, low-turnover economy. With few large employers and limited sector competition, labor policies have remained largely unchanged. Leave time sits at 10-15 days per year and hasn’t moved in years.
Canada – 10–20 Days
Credit: Reddit
Across most provinces, workers in Canada are legally granted a minimum of 10 holidays with pay, with the total rising to 15 or 20 based on the amount of time they have spent in that role and local regulations. But on average, people only take about half of what they’re allowed.
Japan – 10–20 Days
Credit: flickr
In one recent Expedia survey, over 60% of Japanese employees said they’d rather not take leave if it might inconvenience their team. They let unused days quietly expire despite being entitled to between 10 and 20 leave days. A strong cultural focus on dedication and face time continues to override attempts to normalize rest periods.
Mexico – 12 Days
Credit: Reddit
Taking time off still feels risky for many workers in Mexico. Though the official minimum is now set at 12 vacation days, people stick to what their old contracts allow—or less. In small businesses, rules aren’t always enforced, and employees worry that using all their time could put their jobs at risk.
Nauru – 14 Days
Credit: flickr
Work in Nauru, and you’re looking at 14 annual leave days a year—no matter the job. But people don’t end up using all of it. In small workplaces with limited staff, taking rest days can put pressure on colleagues or disrupt daily operations.
India – 15 Days
Credit: Reddit
Paid leave of 15 days is honored in corporate settings like tech and finance in India, where structured policies are the norm. But outside that bubble, particularly in retail or informal jobs, time off often isn’t tracked or offered. A few companies have started monitoring unused leave, though how seriously it’s enforced comes down to office culture.
Lebanon – 17–18 Days
Credit: Reddit
Established decades ago, Lebanon’s national leave policy guarantees full-time workers 17 to 18 leave days each year. The rule has held steady since the 1940s and is widely applied. A few employees also qualify for long service leave after extended tenure.
Tunisia – 18 Days
Credit: Reddit
Tunisia offers team members 18 leave days a year, and most public workplaces make it easy to use them. It’s normal to plan around school holidays or extend a summer break—no side glances at all. On the other hand, private companies, especially smaller ones, tend to delay approvals.