The Richest Countries in 2023

I read into the numbers behind "hours worked" from OECD [1]. It seems wild to me that the United States on average works 500 more hours a year, compared to the top counties on that list, and 300 more than the EU average. I've never really been a proponent (or opponent) of the four-day work week, but this seems to indicate you become "richer" if you work less. At least according to this type of ranking.

[1]: https://data.oecd.org/emp/hours-worked.htm

Re: The Richest Countries in 2023

#6

Post by killdisk » Fri, Dec 22, 2023, 1:01 PM UTC

As an American living in Berlin for 2 years while working as a software dev, this article very much confirms my experience. The move started with a bit of sticker shock at having my income effectively cut in half - lower salaries and higher taxes - but I feel just as "rich".

Germany has very strong worker protection laws, I feel secure in my job, the time off minimum STARTS at 28 days a year, + holidays + effectively unlimited sick days. And recently I went to 80% work capacity at my job (I no longer work Mondays), which again is a protected legal right within Germany. And I'm using this extra time to pursue a masters degree in music composition, something I've always wanted to do but never had time for.

Germany has provided me the stability and opportunity to follow this passion, something that would be much harder to do in the U.S. I am very grateful, and I think the U.S. could learn a lot from it's European peers in this regard.

Re: The Richest Countries in 2023

#7

Post by frde » Fri, Dec 22, 2023, 1:01 PM UTC

TheFragenTaken wrote: post #5

I read into the numbers behind "hours worked" from OECD [1]. It seems wild to me that the United States on average works 500 more hours a year, compared to the top counties on that list, and 300 more than the EU average. I've never really been a proponent (or opponent) of the four-day work week, but this seems to indicate you become "richer" if you work less. At least according to this type of ranking. [1]: https://d…

> but this seems to indicate you become "richer" if you work less.

Could this be in the opposite direction, where the richer you are, the less you need to work?

Re: The Richest Countries in 2023

#8

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Dec 22, 2023, 1:02 PM UTC

TheFragenTaken wrote: post #5

I read into the numbers behind "hours worked" from OECD [1]. It seems wild to me that the United States on average works 500 more hours a year, compared to the top counties on that list, and 300 more than the EU average. I've never really been a proponent (or opponent) of the four-day work week, but this seems to indicate you become "richer" if you work less. At least according to this type of ranking. [1]: https://d…

[deleted]

Re: The Richest Countries in 2023

#9

Post by jacek » Fri, Dec 22, 2023, 1:05 PM UTC

My personal opinion here.

For a long time GDP and standard of living/well-being of a society have been correlated that people started to think that these are the same. These two are becoming more and more detached each year with progressing inequality. To the point that GDP now tells us very little about a country.

For example Bermuda. The high GDP per capita incomes is fueled by offshore financial services, but that does not translate to personal wealth of the citizens. And Qatar. More than 50% of population are immigrants working mostly in low-paying jobs often in terrible conditions. They generate wealth, but they are not considered citizens. Finally the elephant in the room - USA. GDP per capita means jack shit if half of the wealth belongs to a few people.

Re: The Richest Countries in 2023

#10

Post by amadeuspagel » Fri, Dec 22, 2023, 1:11 PM UTC

TheFragenTaken wrote: post #5

I read into the numbers behind "hours worked" from OECD [1]. It seems wild to me that the United States on average works 500 more hours a year, compared to the top counties on that list, and 300 more than the EU average. I've never really been a proponent (or opponent) of the four-day work week, but this seems to indicate you become "richer" if you work less. At least according to this type of ranking. [1]: https://d…

More of the total work that people have to do, including chores, is in the US work that people pay for and are paid for, rather then doing it for themselves.