Countries that Offer Higher Income with Reduced Work Hours Compared to the UK
In a recent study by Remitly, it has been revealed that there are places abroad where Brits could potentially earn the same median wage as in the UK while working hundreds of hours less.
The research, while not providing a direct, comprehensive public list, has highlighted several countries that stand out due to their wage, working hours, and cost of living patterns.
- Western European Countries: Countries such as France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg offer similar or slightly higher median wages when compared to the UK, paired with shorter average working hours. For instance, France has a lower weekly working hour standard of approximately 35 hours, and relatively high wages.
- Spain: With a significantly lower cost of living compared to the UK (by around 30%-40% or more depending on the area), someone earning the UK median wage could enjoy a better standard of living working fewer hours if wages are similar or slightly less.
- Israel and Japan: While Israel offers an hourly wage of about US$10.63 (£8.50 approximately) with a 42-hour workweek, and Japan's hourly wages range between US$6.56-US$8.02 (~£5.25-£6.40), these countries may not be as attractive due to their longer working hours.
- The USA: Offers higher absolute wages but typical full-time hours remain around 40 hours/week or more. The cost of living varies widely by state and city.
Here is a summary comparison of the countries mentioned:
| Country | Typical Hours/Week | Median/Minimum Hourly Wage (USD/GBP) | Cost of Living vs UK | Notes | |----------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | UK (reference) | 37-40 | ~£13-14 | Baseline | Aldi pays £13-14.64/hr as example | | France | 35 | Higher than average EU wage | Slightly lower than UK | Strong labor protections, shorter workweek | | Netherlands | 36 | Competitive minimum wages | Comparable or lower | Minimum wages apply at 36 hr/week | | Luxembourg | ~39-40 | €2,704/month (~£2,300 equivalent) | Higher than UK | Highest EU minimum wage | | Germany | ~35-40 | Competitive hourly minimum wage | Slightly lower or comparable | Some states have high minimum wages and shorter hours | | Spain | ~40 | Lower than UK median, but lower cost of living | 30%-40% lower costs | Lower wages but significantly cheaper living expenses[2] | | Israel | 42 | $10.63/hr (~£8.50) | Similar or higher | Higher hours, similar wage to UK minimum levels[1] | | Japan | 40 | $6.56-$8.02/hr (~£5.25-£6.40) | Generally higher costs | Lower wages, longer hours[1] | | USA | ~40 | Varies, often higher overall wages | Highly variable | Wage & cost varies highly by state, hours around 40 |
Key insights from the comparison include: - Western European countries tend to offer similar or slightly higher median wages paired with shorter average working hours (France, Netherlands, Germany). - Cost of living varies largely; countries like Spain have significantly lower living costs, so a lower wage could still mean higher effective purchasing power. - Countries with fewer working hours and similar median wages tend to have higher hourly rates, improving hourly compensation. - Countries with lower wages but substantially lower costs of living could offer better effective income per hour when considering purchasing power.
For a more precise, current ranking and numeric comparisons, detailed earnings data by occupation, median wage, hours worked, and explicit cost of living indices for each country would be required, which were not fully available in the search results.
1. Personal-finance Implications: With France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg offering similar or higher median wages while requiring fewer hours of work, there could be potential for personal-finance improvement for Brits working in these countries.
2. News in Travel and Finance: Investing in research about the cost of living in different countries, such as Spain, could help those interested in travel find destinations where their earnings could stretch further, improving their personal-finance situation.
