es.euronews.com
European Working Hours Decline: A 10-Year Analysis
Between 2014 and 2024, average weekly working hours in the EU decreased by one hour; countries like Turkey (43.1 hours) reported significantly longer workweeks than the Netherlands (32.1 hours); this decrease is linked to factors like increased part-time work and higher female workforce participation.
- How have weekly working hours changed across European countries over the last 10 years, and what are the most significant variations?
- Southern and Eastern European countries tend to have longer working weeks (e.g., Turkey 43.1 hours, Serbia 41.3 hours), often correlating with lower wages, more informal employment, and less part-time work. Conversely, Western and Northern European countries exhibit shorter workweeks, linked to stronger labor protections, higher productivity, and widespread part-time work.
- What are the countries with the highest and lowest average weekly working hours in Europe, and how do these figures compare to the EU average?
- In the past 10 years, the average weekly working hours in the EU have decreased by one hour, with almost half of the 34 European countries experiencing a reduction exceeding one hour. In 2024, weekly working hours for full- and part-time employees aged 20-64 ranged from 32.1 hours in the Netherlands to 43.1 hours in Turkey.
- What are the main contributing factors to the observed decline in average weekly working hours across the EU, considering both supply-side and demand-side influences?
- The decrease in working hours is largely attributed to the rise in non-standard work arrangements, particularly part-time employment, driven by increased female workforce participation and the service sector's growth. While full-time employees' hours remain relatively stable, technological advancements and voluntary part-time choices also contribute to this trend.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents the decrease in working hours as a significant trend, providing extensive data to support this claim. The headline and introduction clearly set the stage for this focus. While the data is presented objectively, the emphasis on the decrease might inadvertently downplay the potential challenges or regional variations.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the reduction of working hours in Europe, providing data from Eurostat and other sources. While it mentions variations across countries and potential reasons, a more in-depth exploration of alternative perspectives or counterarguments could strengthen the analysis. For instance, the impact of economic policies or industry-specific trends on working hours is only briefly touched upon. The article also omits discussion of potential negative consequences of reduced work hours, such as reduced income or career progression.
Gender Bias
The article mentions the increase in female participation in the workforce and its correlation with the rise of part-time jobs. This is presented as a contributing factor to the decrease in working hours, without overt gender bias. However, a deeper analysis of gender-specific working patterns and potential wage gaps could provide a more complete picture.
Sustainable Development Goals
The reduction in working hours across many European countries reflects a shift towards better work-life balance and potentially improved well-being for workers. While this might lead to some decrease in overall economic output in the short term, it also suggests a potential move toward a more sustainable and equitable economic model that prioritizes worker well-being. The increased prevalence of part-time work, especially among women, indicates progress in gender equality and potentially increased labor force participation.