Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia among Europe’s longest-working nations despite slower economic convergence with the EU
BRUSSELS, June 11 (BV) – Workers across the European Union spent an average of 35.9 hours per week on the job in 2025, down from 36.9 hours a decade earlier, according to new data published by Eurostat, highlighting a long-term trend toward shorter working weeks across the bloc.
The figures also underline a persistent divide between the EU and the Western Balkans, where employees continue to work significantly longer hours than their counterparts in most member states.
According to Eurostat, Greece recorded the longest average working week in the EU at 39.6 hours, followed by Bulgaria and Poland with 38.7 hours each, and Lithuania with 38.4 hours. At the other end of the scale, the Netherlands had the shortest working week at 31.9 hours, followed by Denmark and Germany with 33.9 hours and Austria with 34.0 hours.
In the Western Balkans, working weeks remain noticeably longer. Recent Eurostat and regional labour data show that workers in Serbia average more than 42 hours per week, while Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina also rank among Europe’s longest-working countries. North Macedonia records around 39.5 hours per week, still above the EU average.
The trend reflects a broader pattern across Southeast Europe, where lower productivity levels, labour shortages and the structure of local economies often require longer working hours than in Western European countries.
Despite longer working weeks, Western Balkan economies continue to lag behind the European Union in productivity and income levels. The World Bank expects the six Western Balkan economies — Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia — to grow collectively by 3.2% in 2025, supported by rising wages and domestic consumption. However, the institution has warned that labour-market reforms and higher productivity will be needed to sustain convergence with the EU.
Eurostat’s data show that the decline in working hours has been gradual across Europe over the past decade, driven by demographic changes, greater labour-market flexibility and the expansion of part-time employment. The average EU working week has fallen by one full hour since 2015.
Economists note that longer working hours do not necessarily translate into stronger economic performance. Countries such as the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, which have some of the shortest working weeks in Europe, remain among the continent’s most productive economies.
Average Weekly Working Hours (2025)
- Greece – 39.6 hours
- Bulgaria – 38.7 hours
- Poland – 38.7 hours
- Lithuania – 38.4 hours
- EU average – 35.9 hours
- North Macedonia – around 39.5 hours
- Serbia – above 42 hours
- Montenegro – around 42 hours
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – around 41 hours
- Netherlands – 31.9 hours
- Denmark – 33.9 hours
- Germany – 33.9 hours