Cypriots ranked second in the EU for weekly working hours

According to the latest data from the European Union’s statistical office (Eurostat) for 2024, Cyprus recorded one of the highest rates of employees working more than 49 hours per week at their main job. The share of such workers on the island is 10%, ranking just behind the leader — Greece (12.4%) and ahead of France (9.9%). Across the entire EU, the share of employees working more than 49 hours a week stood at 6.6%, continuing a downward trend — in 2014 this figure was 9.8%, and in 2019 — 8.4%.

This data clearly indicates a persistent problem of workplace overload in some EU countries and raises concerns about work-life balance. A high level of overtime work implies increased health risks for employees and highlights possible shortcomings in work organization.

Interestingly, employment status significantly affects the likelihood of overtime. Among the self-employed, as many as 27.5% worked more than 49 hours per week, much higher than among employees — only 3.4%. This reflects the nature of self-employment: the drive to increase income, job uncertainty, and the absence of a strictly regulated working norm often lead to long hours of work.

Moreover, overtime is especially prevalent in professions that require high responsibility and long-term tasks. Among worker groups, the most common overtime was seen among skilled agricultural, forestry and fishing workers — 26.2% of them worked more than 49 hours a week, followed by managers — 21.1%. This highlights the challenges in sectors requiring physical effort, quick responses, and often flexible schedules.

Low overtime rates were recorded in the Baltic and Eastern European countries: Bulgaria — 0.4%, Latvia — 1.0%, Lithuania — 1.4%. This situation may reflect differences in work culture, economic standards, or legal restrictions on working time.

Thus, Eurostat data for 2024 confirm a steady decline in the share of employees working excessive hours across the EU overall, but also demonstrate significant differences between countries, employment statuses, and professions. With its 10% rate, Cyprus remains one of the leaders in overtime, second only to Greece, drawing attention to the regulation of working time and the need to ensure an effective balance between work and rest.