SSG Hero Banner 2024
Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand rank among 25 countries with the least paid leave days

Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand rank among 25 countries with the least paid leave days

Looking at the total paid public holidays and paid leave days, no countries in Asia made it into the top 25.

Feeling as if you may need more paid leaves and vacation days? Well, you might then be envious of some of the countries listed in this article!

A recent study by Resume.io has found out how much paid annual leave and how many public holidays are available in every country around the world – and how paid vacation days compare in total from one place to another.

In obtaining the results, the study reviewed the annual statutory paid leave and paid public holidays laws in 197 countries, referring to government websites, the OECD, the International Labour Organisation, and more. The countries were then ranked based on the combined number of statutory paid leave days and paid public holidays per year. 

For clarity, paid leave refers to the statutory minimum annual time off bookable by the individual, while vacation days refer to the combined total of paid leave days and paid public holidays.

Per the results, Iran has the most public holidays (27) in the world and the most paid vacation days overall (53). As a whole, no countries in Asia made it to the top 25.

mostpaidvacationdays

Conversely, Micronesia was noted to have the least overall paid vacation days (nine). Amongst other nations in Asia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan also made it into the bottom 25 markets with the least overall paid vacation days:

  • The Philippines (17 days)
  • Taiwan (17)
  • Singapore (18)
  • India (18)
  • Malaysia (19)
  • Thailand (19)

In terms of the most paid leave days, there were 23 markets with a statutory maximum of 30 days of paid leave per year, the highest available. Just short of 30 days, Moldova, Russia, and Scotland had the second-highest number of paid leaves per year at 28 days. 

On the other end, there were four countries that had 0 minimum statutory annual paid leave days — NauruMicronesiaKiribati, and the United States. Several countries in Asia also noted some of the lowest paid leave days:

  • The Philippines (five days)
  • China (five)
  • Thailand (six) 
  • Singapore (seven)
  • Taiwan (seven)
  • Malaysia (eight)

least paid leave days

Meanwhile, India emerged among the countries with the least paid public holidays, standing in third place with just three days. To end on a more positive note, however, Japan and Indonesia made it to the top 25 countries with the most paid public holidays, both with 16 days.

ALSO READ: Shell extends eight weeks' paid parental leave to all non-birthing parents


Lead image / Shutterstock
Screenshots / Resume.io

Follow us on Telegram and on Instagram @humanresourcesonline for all the latest HR and manpower news from around the region

Follow us on Telegram and on Instagram @humanresourcesonline for all the latest HR and manpower news from around the region!

Free newsletter

Get the daily lowdown on Asia's top Human Resources stories.

We break down the big and messy topics of the day so you're updated on the most important developments in Asia's Human Resources development – for free.

subscribe now open in new window