Revealed: Countries With The Most Number Of Public Holidays

Just back from a year-end vacation and experiencing post-holiday blues? Plan your next getaway.

While you may have exhausted your paid-leave stock, you can always depend on public holidays, though residents in some countries enjoy a lot more days off in a year.

“India has the most number of public holidays at around 21 days each year, even more depending on which state you live in,” said Joachim Holte, chief marketing officer of travel search site Wego, which has revealed a list of countries with the most number of public holidays.

“China is not only one of the fastest growing travel segments in the world, their government makes it easy for workers to take longer breaks. Should the year’s public holidays fall on a weekend the government swaps the official dates with weekdays, maximising time off,” he explained.

“So this year, the total of 17 public holidays equates to 28 days off. Similarly the Taiwanese total of 13 public holidays results in 29 days off inclusive of weekends.”

The UAE ranked lower than many of its Asian peers, with 11 days off per year, the list stated.
[UAE Public Holidays In 2015]

Mexico was found to have the lowest number of public holidays in the world, at seven, although the government permits a few more ‘optional’ public holidays, at the employer’s discretion, Wego said.

“Some countries however provide a little more in the way of statutory holiday leave which can top up public holidays nicely,” said Holte.

“The Philippines public holiday count of 18 is increased with an additional five days mandatory holiday leave, and while Australian workers receive around 10 public holidays depending on which state you live in, annual holiday leave entitlement totals an additional 20 working days.”

COUNTRIES WITH THE MOST PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

1. India
Number of holidays: 21

2. Colombia, Philippines
Number of holidays: 18

3. China, Hong Kong
Number of holidays: 21

4. Thailand, Turkey, Pakistan
Number of holidays: 16

5. Japan, Malaysia, Argentina, Lithuania, Vietnam, Sweden
Number of holidays: 15

6. Indonesia, Chile, Slovakia
Number of holidays: 14

7. South Korea, Austria, Belgium, Norway, Taiwan
Number of holidays: 13

8. Finland, Russia
Number of holidays: 12

9. Singapore, China, Canada, Italy, Denmark, France, UAE, Morocco, Czech Republic, Luxembourg
Number of holidays: 11

10. US, Portugal, Ukraine, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Croatia, Romania
Number of holidays: 10