A recent look at working hours across Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia shows some interesting differences in how people spend their weekdays.
Southeast Asia’s hardest working countries revealed
If you think your work week is long, you might want to take a peek at what’s happening in Southeast Asia.
Starting with the region that tops the chart:
- Brunei averages on 46 hours per week.
- Malaysia averages at 44.7 hours
- Myanmar averaging at 44.7 hours.
This shows that long work weeks are still common, especially in industries like:
- Oil and gas
- Manufacturing
- Public administration
Why are Malaysia’s working hours so high
- Strong manufacturing and service industries: Many employees in sectors like construction,finance, and factories often work longer to meet targets and deadlines.
- Kuala Lumpur and Penang are known for fast-paced work culture: Long hours are common in both office jobs and factory work.
Balanced Act
A large group of countries falls into a “middle ground”, working 40 to 43 hours per week.
- Singapore records an average of 42.6 hours
- Thailand at 42.3 hours
- Vietnam follows with 41.6 hours
- Laos averages 41.5 hours
Lower down the middle tier are:
- Philippines (40.6 hours)
- Cambodia (40.4 hours)
- Indonesia (40.0 hours).
Here, formal labor laws generally set a 40 hour standard, though informal sectors and overtime can push actual working time higher.
Work life balance across the region
For anyone tracking work life balance in the region, these numbers make it clear. While some countries are sticking to a standard work week, others like Malaysia still have employees clocking some of the longest hours in Southeast Asia.
Data from across the region highlights a wide range in working hours, showing how cultural and economic factors influence how long people spend on the job.
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