Current:Home > MarketsEurope gets more vacations than the U.S. Here are some reasons why. -AssetPath
Europe gets more vacations than the U.S. Here are some reasons why.
View
Date:2025-04-14 04:20:04
Do you work more for more money? Or work less for more time? For some, this is the ultimate economic choice.
Every single worker in the European Union is guaranteed four weeks of paid vacation. No matter how long they've been at a company. No matter how low paying the job is. Vacation is a right.
In fact, all but one of the richest countries in the world guarantees paid vacation, except: the U.S.
According to a 2019 study, people in Japan get 10 paid vacation days and 15 paid holidays; in Australia it's 20 paid vacation days and 8 paid holidays; and in Spain it's 25 paid vacation days and 14 paid holidays.
And it's not just a rich country thing: Mexico, Afghanistan, Thailand, Tanzania - they all guarantee paid vacation from work, at least in the formal job sector.
In the U.S: Zero paid vacation days and zero paid holidays.
So, why is the United States the outlier? We go to several labor economists and historians, to find out what makes Americans different from Europeans. It's a winding journey, so maybe put in a request for some paid time off and take a listen!
Some articles we mention in this episode:
- "No Vacation Nation"
- "Study: A Record 768 Million U.S. Vacation Days Went Unused in '18, Opportunity Cost in the Billions"
- "Why the US is one of only a few countries with no paid time off"
This episode was hosted by Sarah Gonzalez, produced by Sam Yellowhorse Kesler, edited by Jess Jiang, engineered by Maggie Luthar, and fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.
Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.
Always free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, NPR One or anywhere you get podcasts.
Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.
Music: Universal Production Music - "Street Cafe," "Cocktails and Chill," and "Beach Party"
veryGood! (3343)
Related
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Overstock.com to rebrand as Bed Bath & Beyond after purchasing its assets
- Bling Empire's Anna Shay Dead at 62 After Stroke
- Q&A: One Baptist Minister’s Long, Careful Road to Climate Activism
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Read full text of the Supreme Court affirmative action decision and ruling in high-stakes case
- A Most ‘Sustainable’ Vineyard in a ‘Completely Unsustainable’ Year
- With Only a Week Left in Trump’s Presidency, a Last-Ditch Effort to Block Climate Action and Deny the Science
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Overstock.com to rebrand as Bed Bath & Beyond after purchasing its assets
Ranking
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- In Attacks on Environmental Advocates in Canada, a Disturbing Echo of Extremist Politics in the US
- Huge Western Fires in 1910 Changed US Wildfire Policy. Will Today’s Conflagrations Do the Same?
- Drew Barrymore Slams Sick Reports Claiming She Wants Her Mom Dead
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Titan investigators will try to find out why sub imploded. Here's what they'll do.
- A German Initiative Seeks to Curb Global Emissions of a Climate Super-Pollutant
- Cuba Gooding Jr. Settles Civil Sexual Abuse Case
Recommendation
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
Laura Rapidly Intensified Over a Super-Warm Gulf. Only the Storm Surge Faltered
Iowa woman wins $2 million Powerball prize years after tornado destroyed her house
In the San Joaquin Valley, Nothing is More Valuable than Water (Part 1)
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Does aspartame have health risks? Here's what studies have found about the sweetener as WHO raises safety questions.
Jill Duggar Was Ready to Testify Against Brother Josh Duggar in Child Pornography Case
Parkland shooting sheriff's deputy Scot Peterson found not guilty on all counts