World Productivity Day: 9 Most Productive Countries

The International Labour Organisation, for 2023-2024, has categorised nations by how efficiently their workers contribute to the economy -- calculated by the value of goods and services produced for each hour of work within a given time frame.

Pic: Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff

European nations promote supportive job environments. The EU upholds firm employment rights & requires generous holiday allowances, helping individuals maintain personal well-being while staying effective at work.

Pic: Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff

Luxembourg

This small European nation tops the list with the highest output per hour worked, reaching an impressive $146. The landlocked country is heavily invested in finance and banking.

Pic: Kind courtesy Smiley.toerist/Wikimedia Commons

Ireland

The Emerald Isle comes second, with a labour productivity of $143. Ireland’s economy is mainly built on expertise-driven sectors -- technology, pharmaceuticals, banking, modern farming industries.

 

Pic: Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff

Norway

At No 3 is the Land of Fjords, producing $93 worth of goods & services for every hour worked. Norwegians typically work a shorter week, averaging 27.3 hours, reflecting a strong focus on efficiency & work-life balance.

Pic: Kind courtesy Leonhard Lenz/Wikimedia Commons

The Netherlands

With $92 generated per hour of work, the Netherlands is next. It has a well-established commercial system centred around global commerce, transport networks, industrial production & modern services.

 

Pic: Kind courtesy Ввласенко/Wikimedia Commons

Denmark

The country known for its happy people records a labour productivity of $ 80. The country’s financial structure mainly relies on sectors like business services, commerce and industrial output.

Pic: Kind courtesy Bill Ebbesen/Wikimedia Commons

Switzerland

The nation that manufactures watches, chocolate, pharmaceuticals, precision instruments has a workforce that produces $78 for every hour on the job.

Pic: Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff

Belgium

Notice that all the Benelux countries have a super industrious workforce. Belgium delivers a fiesty $76 in output per hour worked. The country’s well-structured labour system contributes to its solid standing.

Pic: Kind courtesy Celuici/Wikimedia Commons

Austria

Workers in Austria, like these employees at Magna Steyr factory, Graz, who assemble cars for other maufacturers, generate a tidy $74 per hour on the job. Known for robust trade unions that promote fair workplace conditions.

Pic: Herwig Prammer/Reuters

Singapore

The only Asian country on the list at 9th position is Singapore with $74 per hour of work. It is a producer of electronics, medical equipment, financial services.

Pic: Kind courtesy Sippala/Wikimedia Commons
Go to rediff.com