Before you read
Working hours in Europe vary widely. Some countries have average working weeks of more than 40 hours, while others are below 35. This lesson explores why these differences exist and what they reveal about labour markets.
Warm-up questions
Discuss these questions with a partner.
1. Which countries do you think work the longest hours in Europe?
2. Does working fewer hours always mean a better quality of life?
3. What factors can reduce or increase average working hours?
Article: Euronews Business — Who works the hardest in Europe?
Image source: Euronews article image. It requires an internet connection to display.
Reading Comprehension
Source: Shortened and adapted from the Euronews article. Read the original article
Approx. 560 words
New Eurostat figures show large differences in actual working hours across Europe. In the EU, people aged 20 to 64 work an average of 35.9 hours per week in their main job, including both full-time and part-time workers. The data raises questions about why some Europeans work much longer weeks than others.
Within the EU, the average working week ranges from 31.9 hours in the Netherlands to 39.6 hours in Greece. When candidate countries and EFTA members are included, Turkey records the longest average week, at 42.4 hours. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia also exceed 40 hours per week.
Greece, North Macedonia and Bulgaria follow closely, meaning Balkan countries dominate the rankings for the longest working weeks. Professor David Spencer argues that workers do not simply choose long hours. Instead, normal working hours are shaped by employers, productivity levels and the bargaining power of workers.
The Netherlands stands out as the country with the shortest average working week. One important reason is that part-time workers make up nearly 43% of total employment, a much higher share than in any other EU country. The country also has one of the shortest collectively agreed working weeks in the bloc.
Germany, Norway and Denmark follow at 33.9 hours. Austria, Belgium and Finland are also below 35 hours per week. In these countries, the average working day is less than seven hours if the week is spread across five days.
Among the EU’s four largest economies, Germany has the shortest working week at 33.9 hours. France is higher at 35.6 hours, while Italy and Spain are above the EU average, with Spain recording the longest week of the four. Spencer links Germany’s shorter hours partly to strong unions and collective bargaining.
Experts say working hours vary because of working-time rules, employment structures and wider economic structures. Countries where trade unions and collective bargaining play a larger role tend to have shorter actual working hours. Stronger bargaining may also mean less overtime and better compliance with labour regulations.
Employment type matters too. A larger share of part-time work tends to reduce average hours, while self-employed workers often work longer hours than employees. Sector also matters: agricultural, forestry and fishery workers record the longest working week in the EU, while elementary occupations record the shortest.
Open comprehension questions
1. What is the average working week in the EU?
2. Which countries have the shortest and longest working weeks?
3. Why does the Netherlands have such a short average working week?
4. How does Germany compare with France, Italy and Spain?
5. What factors explain differences in working hours?
6. How do employment type and sector affect working hours?
Vocabulary
Exercise 1: Match the words to the meanings
Drag each word into the correct definition. The answer options have been shuffled.
1. The hours people really work, not just contracted hours
2. A job pattern with fewer hours than a full-time role
3. Negotiation between employers and workers’ representatives
4. Rules that protect workers and organise employment
5. Following rules or laws correctly
6. Working for yourself rather than for an employer
Exercise 2: Complete the sentences
Drag the best word or phrase into each sentence. The answer options have been shuffled.
1. The article compares across European countries.
2. A high level of helps explain the Dutch average.
3. Stronger can help reduce overtime.
4. Workers who are often work longer hours.
5. Better can limit excessive working time.
Grammar
Focus: advanced data commentary — reduced relative clauses and participle clauses
Inspired by the source: The article compares countries, explains causes and reports expert views. B2/C1 writers can make this kind of analysis more concise by reducing clauses.
Key grammar
Reduced relative clauses
Use -ing to replace active relative clauses and past participles to replace passive relative clauses.
Participle clauses
Use -ing clauses to add a reason, result or extra detail without starting a new sentence.
Exercise 1: Choose the best reduced form
1. Countries ___ strong collective bargaining often have shorter working weeks.
2. The Netherlands, ___ a high share of part-time workers, records the shortest EU working week.
3. The figures, ___ by Eurostat, reveal clear differences across Europe.
4. Self-employed workers often have more autonomy, ___ their schedules less predictable.
Exercise 2: Drag the reduced phrase into each sentence
Use each option once.
1. The data, , shows wide gaps between countries.
2. Spain records a longer working week, .
3. The Netherlands, , has a lower average.
4. Self-employed people, , can raise the national average.
5. Working hours, , are not always chosen freely by workers.
Useful patterns
noun + past participle
The figures published by Eurostat show major differences.
noun + -ing clause
Countries having more part-time work may show shorter average hours.
-ing clause for result
Self-employed workers often work longer hours, raising the average.
compared with + noun
Spain works longer hours compared with Germany.
Discussion
Critical thinking
1. Is a shorter working week always better for workers?
2. Should governments limit weekly working hours more strictly?
3. Do unions and collective bargaining still matter today?
4. Is productivity more important than the number of hours worked?
Useful language
Comparing data: The figures show that... / Compared with..., ...
Explaining causes: One possible reason is... / This may be due to...
Balancing ideas: Although shorter hours can..., they may also...
Evaluating evidence: The article suggests that... / This does not necessarily mean that...
Mini role play
Student A: You are an employer who thinks longer hours are sometimes necessary.
Student B: You are a worker who wants a shorter week and better work-life balance.