To help you navigate this complex landscape, we’ve put together a guide that covers all of the major holidays in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia throughout the year.
United States
In the United States, there are typically around 261 work days in a year. This number is based on holidays and weekends, which generally account for about 104 days of non-working time. In addition to federal holidays such as New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- New Year’s Day – January 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Third Monday of January
- Presidents’ Day (Washington’s Birthday) – Third Monday of February
- Memorial Day – Last Monday in May
- Independence Day – July 4
- Labor Day – First Monday in September
- Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ day – Second Monday of October
- Veterans’Day – November 1
- Thanksgiving — Fourth Thursday and following Friday in November
- Christmas Eve — December 24
- Christmas — December 25
- New Year’s Eve — December 31
The total number of work-hours in a year for the US is 2080 hours. The average number of work-hours in a month for the US is 173 hours.
The number of work days in Europe varies by country. In general, there are around 234 working days in the European Union, which is slightly lower than the US figure due to varying holiday schedules. This figure excludes religious observances such as Easter, Pentecost and All Saints’ Day, which add additional days off for some countries.
Europe
In Europe, the number of work days per year varies by country. The average number of work days in Europe as a whole is around 250, which is slightly lower than the global average of 260.
In Germany, for example, employees are entitled to 20 days of paid vacation plus nine federally-mandated holidays, which makes up an annual total of 29 days off work.
In the UK, employees are entitled to 28 vacation days per year plus eight bank holidays, which is a total of 36 days each year.
Several major public holidays vary from country to country. These include New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, May Day, Whit Monday and the major summer holiday of August 15th in many countries (termed “Assumption Day”). Additionally, most countries have their own national day to celebrate their sovereignty.
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Easter Sunday and Monday (Varies, March or April)
- Ascension Day (40 days after Easter Sunday
- Whit Monday/Pentecost (50 Days After Easter Sunday)
- International Workers’ Day/Mayday (May 1st)
- Corpus Christi (59 Days After Easter Sunday in some countries such as Austria, Germany, Poland and Switzerland)
- Assumption of Mary/Feast of the Assumption (August 15th in most European countries )
- All Saints’ Day or Hallowmas/All Hallows’ Eve (November 1st for Catholic countries such as Belgium, France, Italy and Spain )
- Christmas Eve & Christmas day (December 24th & 25th respectively)
Latin America
In Latin America, the major public holidays are similar to those in Europe. These include New Year’s Day, Carnival (which usually occurs in February or March), Good Friday and Easter Monday, as well as Christmas and several national days such as Mexico’s Cinco de Mayo.
In Latin America, the amount of days that employees are required to go to work depends on the laws and regulations of each country. Generally, employees in these countries are expected to work eight hours a day, five days a week (Monday to Friday). This gives a total of 40 hours per week or 2,080 hours per year.
Asia
The number of work days in Asia varies depending on which country you are looking at. Generally, however, most countries in Asia require employees to work five days a week (Monday to Friday). This gives a total of 40 hours per week or 2,080 hours per year.
Common holidays celebrated throughout Asia include New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year (which usually occurs in February or March), Easter and Christmas Day. Additionally, many countries have their own national celebrations such as India’s Republic Day and Japan’s Emperor’s Birthday.
– New Year’s Day (1 January)
– Chinese/Lunar New Year (varies each year, usually in February or March)
– Good Friday (varies each year, usually in April or May)
– Easter Monday (varies each year, usually in April or May)
– Labour Day/International Workers’ Day (1 May)
– Buddha’s Birthday (8th day of 4th lunar month – varies each year )
– Dragon Boat Festival/Tuen Ng Jit (5th day of 5th Lunar Month – varies each year)
– Mid Autumn Festival / Mooncake Festival (15th day of 8th lunar month)
– National Respects for the Aged Day (3rd Monday of September)
– Double Ninth Festival / Chong Yang festival (9th day of 9th lunar month).
When holiday falls on a weekend
When a public holiday falls on a weekend, some countries grant employees the following Monday off to make up for it. This is typically referred to as a bridge day, or compensatory holiday. In addition, in some countries such as Brazil where Sunday is typically the only day that most people have off from work, many public holidays are also celebrated on the preceding Saturday.
Vacation time is also granted to employees in many countries, allowing them to take extended periods of leave from work for leisure purposes. The length and frequency of vacation time varies significantly by country, as does the extent to which it is paid or unpaid. In some countries such as Germany and Brazil, paid vacation time is mandatory by law. In other countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, vacation time is not typically mandated, but many employers choose to offer it as a benefit.
No matter where you live, holidays are an important part of life that allow us to take a break from our normal routines and enjoy some much-needed leisure time. Taking vacations can help reduce stress and improve mental health, so it’s important to make sure you take the time to unwind and relax.
