If you’ve ever wondered whether Canada is a good place to build a life that balances career and personal timehere’s your answer: Yes, it is. According to a new international report, Canada ranks seventh in the world for work-life balance, making it the only country in the Americas to make the top 10.
The Global Life-Work Balance Index 2025put together by global HR solutions provider Remote, looked at 60 countries and measured how well they help people juggle work and life. Canada stood out for offering generous parental leave, fair working hours, and a strong focus on health and safety.
Who made the top 10?
Here’s how the top 10 countries stacked up:
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New Zealand
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Ireland
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Belgium
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Germany
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Norway
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Denmark
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Canada
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Australia
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Spain
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Finland
With an overall score of 73.46 out of 100Canada outperformed countries like Australia, Finland, and its closest neighbour, the United States, which came in near the bottom at 59th place with just 31.17 points.
What makes Canada a top contender?
The ranking is based on 10 factors that influence the balance between work and life. These include things like average weekly working hours, maternity leave policies, minimum wage, safety, and even LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
Here’s how Canada performed in a few key areas:
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Average hours worked per week: 35.2 hours
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Paid statutory annual leave: 17 days
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Maternity leave: 18 weeks at 55% pay (with options for up to 55 weeks combined with parental leave)
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Happiness score: 6.8 out of 10
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Safety rating: Strong score of 1.45 on the Global Peace Index
This means that most Canadians enjoy reasonable work hours, some paid vacation, and support when starting a family. And although health care coverage varies by province, Canada’s public system gives most residents access to basic medical services.
It’s no wonder that in 2024, Canada was also listed as the top country people want to move to for work. And this new ranking supports that trend. “Canadian workplaces tend to value punctuality and dependability,” the Remote report says, “but employees typically maintain a healthy separation between work and family life.”
So while Canadians are known for working hard, they’re also encouraged to enjoy their evenings, take vacation, and spend time with family — a refreshing contrast to the hustle culture seen in many other parts of the world.
Interestingly, Canada ranked fifth in last year’s report but dropped to seventh this year. That doesn’t mean things got worse. In fact, Canada’s overall score actually improved—but other countries simply improved even more. Countries like New Zealand and Ireland surged ahead thanks to new policies and growing focus on wellness.
For immigrants considering Canada, these findings are a green light. Not only is the country actively looking for skilled newcomers to fill talent gaps in various sectors, but it’s also a place where your well-being is valuednot just your productivity.
Plus, Canadian employers are becoming more inclusive and diverse, offering flexible schedules, hybrid workand mental health resources. That kind of environment can make a world of difference when you’re adjusting to a new country and culture.
