The Countries That Take the Most (and Least) Vacation Days

“I have too many vacation days,” said no one, ever. In reality, the majority of global workers feel that they have far too few vacation days. To see how countries around the world compare, travel company Expedia analyzed paid time off (PTO) norms in 11 major nations — the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore — to compile its annual Vacation Deprivation Report. Included in the data from over 11,000 survey respondents was the number of average vacation days that workers take, along with the average annual number of vacation days they were actually given. The survey also revealed how workers felt about the number of vacation days they receive. Can you guess which countries take the most — and least — vacation days? Check out the rankings below. 

11. United States

Average days taken: 11 (out of an average of 12 days given)

On average, American workers are allocated the fewest vacation days of any country in the 2024 Vacation Deprivation Report. Still, 53% of those surveyed say they don’t plan on using all of their vacation days this year. American workers receive an average of 12 vacation days annually, but they usually only take 11, often because “life is too busy to plan or go on vacation” (the most common reason cited by participants in the U.S.). Interestingly, vacation deprivation — defined in the report as the percentage of people who feel they don’t take vacation enough —  among American workers has steadily risen over the last 11 years, and it now sits at 65% in the latest study.

10. Japan

Average days taken: 12 (out of 19 given)

Although they take about as many vacation days as Americans, Japanese workers are seven times more likely to vacation monthly. In Japan, weekend getaways are favored over longer trips. This could be why Japan’s “vacation deprivation” rate (53%) is more than 10 percentage points lower than that of the U.S.; perhaps their R&R needs are being met more frequently. Due to taking relatively shorter vacations, Japanese workers might opt to travel closer to home, from a beachside holiday in Okinawa to ski retreats and onsens in Hokkaido. When they do go abroad, the most frequent destination is neighboring South Korea.

9. Mexico

Average days taken: 14 (out of 16 given)

Similar to their American neighbors to the north, Mexican workers also feel vacation deprived, with 64% of participants in the Expedia study reporting a lack of PTO. Still, on average, they leave about two vacation days unused annually. While many Mexican travelers vacation domestically at coastal resorts or in historic cities, some choose to travel abroad. The most popular international destination is the U.S., with Texas, California, Florida, Nevada, and New York being the most frequented states.

8. Canada

Average days taken: 18 (out of 19 given)

Canadian workers receive the most paid time off in North America, with 19 days annually, yet 58% of workers feel they don’t receive enough PTO, suggesting there’s still room for improvement. Canadians travel for all sorts of reasons, but 65% said their goal for travel in 2024 was for rest and relaxation. Others planned to head out on a bucket list trip (16%), while 11% were attending a ticketed event. As the world’s second-largest country by area, Canada boasts many domestic travel options, but international travel is popular, too. The most-visited countries by Canadians are the U.S., Mexico, the U.K., Italy, and Cuba, respectively.

7. Australia

Average days taken: 18 (out of 21 given)

Tied with workers in New Zealand, their neighbors across the Tasman Sea, the average Australian worker has an average annual PTO count of three weeks. Aussies miss out on around three vacation days annually, but many don’t seem to mind. Their vacation deprivation rate in the study was 57%, which is less than the global average of 62%. And there’s no doubt that Australians love to travel — 76% planned to travel domestically in 2024, with Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast being the most popular destinations. Around 52% of Aussies planned to travel overseas. Most international travelers from Australia head to New Zealand, but Indonesia and the United States are also popular destinations.

6. New Zealand

Average days taken: 18 (out of 21 given)

New Zealanders must be doing something right — they have the second-lowest vacation deprivation rate, with only 55% of survey participants feeling like they don’t have enough time off. On average, New Zealand workers receive 21 days off annually, and three of those are left unused. The overwhelming majority of international outbound travel in New Zealand during the first half of 2024 was to Australia. The picturesque island nation of Fiji was the second-most-popular destination for Kiwis, while many others made the long-haul flight to the U.S., landing it in third place.

5. Singapore

Average days taken: 19 (out of 20 given)

Around 62% of Singapore workers reported feeling deprived of vacation days in 2024, which is on par with the global average in the report. However, Singaporeans leave an average of one day of PTO unused annually, signaling that some extra vacation planning might help workers take full advantage of time off. Known for its gardens and other attractions on the bay, Singapore boasts many appealing activities for residents, but living in a tiny island city-state, Singapore’s residents frequently choose to travel internationally for new experiences. South Korea, Thailand, China, and Japan are a few of the most popular destinations. 

4. United Kingdom

Average days taken: 25 (out of 27 given)

Brits take nearly a month of vacation — around 25 days annually — and leave behind only two unused days on average. Domestic travel accounts for nearly one-fifth of leisure travel in the U.K., followed by international trips to Spain, Greece, Italy, and France. Despite having more vacation days than most other workers, Brits are less enchanted with their current PTO situation: Around 56% reported feeling vacation deprivation this year.

3. Hong Kong

Average days taken: 26 (out of 26 given)

Hong Kong workers were the only participants in the report who used up all their allocated PTO, and in many cases, they took even more time off. When asked if they planned on doing the same in 2024, 15% of respondents said yes. In fact,, over the average 45-year career, Hong Kong workers will take 90 more days off than what they were allocated. The most popular places for Hong Kong travelers to visit for leisure are Taiwan, Macao, South Korea, and Australia.

2. Germany

Average days taken: 27 (out of 29 given)

Despite taking the second-most amount of vacation days, German workers are still the most vacation deprived in the 2024 report — a staggering 84% said they don’t feel like they take enough time off. That said, 77% of German workers reported that they will try to use up all their time off this year. Where are they hoping to use their travel days? If past trends are any indication, the most popular vacation spots for German tourists in recent years include areas around the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, along with Italy.

1. France

Average days taken: 29 (out of 31 given)

Placing a high value on vacation is part of that je ne sais quoi that makes French culture unique. French workers take more vacation days than any other workers surveyed, with about a month of annual paid leave. However, 69% of French participants felt vacation deprived, perhaps due to the fact that nearly all French workers (93%) believe that time off is a fundamental right. 

Compared to American workers, who often save up for one big annual trip, French workers tend to prefer short trips spread throughout the year. This means that when they travel abroad, they typically stay in Europe. Spain, Italy, the U.K., and Greece are the most popular countries for French tourists. Domestic travel is also popular in France thanks to world-class destinations such as the Bordeaux wine region, the lavender fields of Provence, and the blue waters of the French Riviera.