Canadians get the least time off

Canadians need a break. Canada has the lowest average number of vacation days of any country, except China, surveyed by consulting firm Mercer Human Resources.

The survey used Ontario as the standard for Canada and found Ontarians get about 20 days off on average — 10 vacation days and 10 holidays.

Finland tops the charts with Finnish workers getting 44 days off each year (30 vacation days plus 14 holidays), according to the 2007 survey.

Countries Minimum paid vacation days Paid public holidays Total Finland 30 14 44 France 30 10 40 Israel ** 24 16 (average) 40 Lithuania 28 12 40 Morocco 21 18 39 United Arab Emirates 30 9 39 Austria 25 13 38 Estonia 28 10 38 Malta 24 14 38 Egypt 21 16 37 Greece 25 12 37 Cyprus 21 15 36 Poland 26 10 36 Slovenia 20 16 36 Spain 22 14 36 Sweden 25 11 36 Denmark 25 10 35 Japan 20 15 35 Luxembourg 25 10 35 Slovakia 20 15 35 Germany 24 10 34 Portugal 22 12 34 Hungary 23 (if over 31 yrs old) 10 33 Lebanon 15 18 33 South Africa 21 12 33 Bulgaria 20 12 32 Australia 20 11 (average) 31 Czech Republic 20 11 31 India 12 19 31 Italy 20 11 31 Latvia 20 11 31 New Zealand 20 11 31 Belgium 20 10 30 South Korea 19 11 30 Ireland 20 9 29 Netherlands 20 8 28 Pakistan 14 14 28 Romania 21 7 28 United Kingdom 20 8 28 Singapore 14 12 26 United States *** 15 10 25 Vietnam 14 8 22 Canada 10 10 (average) 20 China N/A 12 N/A

The figures are based on statutory entitlements for an employee working five days a week, with 10 years' service.

** Public holidays in Israel include a number of "half holidays," but vary across companies. Figure above represents an average.
*** In the United States, federal law does not mandate pay for time not worked. Vacation policies vary widely, many organizations provide one week of vacation after six months of service, two weeks after one to five years of service and three weeks after five to 10 years of service.