Global Shift Towards shorter Workweeks: Mexico Targets 40 Hours by 2030, Denmark Leads with 33
MEXICO CITY – As teh global conversation around work-life balance intensifies, two nations are charting distinct courses toward redefining the customary workweek. While Mexico aims to reduce its standard workweek to 40 hours by 2030, Denmark is already experiencing the benefits of a considerably shorter average of 33 hours, with many companies experimenting with a four-day workweek. This divergence highlights contrasting approaches to improving worker wellbeing and productivity.
The push for reduced working hours is gaining momentum worldwide, driven by research suggesting that shorter weeks can boost employee morale, reduce burnout, and even increase output. For Mexico, the proposed reform represents a meaningful step towards correcting ancient imbalances and improving the quality of life for millions. Denmark’s success,built on decades of collective bargaining and robust social protections,offers a potential model – but one rooted in a fundamentally different economic and cultural landscape. The implications of these shifts extend beyond individual nations,signaling a potential global recalibration of work norms.
mexico is currently undergoing a gradual legal reform with the goal of achieving a 40-hour workweek by 2030. This initiative seeks to address a long-standing gap and strike a better balance between productivity and employee wellbeing.
In contrast, Denmark currently maintains an average workweek of 33 hours, fueled by flexible work arrangements, a stable economy, and a strong emphasis on employee wellness. This shorter workweek is a product of decades of collective bargaining and a comprehensive social safety net.
The Danish experience demonstrates that reducing work hours doesn’t necessarily equate to lost productivity; rather,it encourages a more efficient reorganization of time. If implemented, Mexico’s reform could grant millions of workers more personal time starting in 2026, without compromising their salaries or labor rights.
Related: In Russia, exceeding a 40-hour workweek is prohibited, and employees are entitled to 28 days of vacation after just six months of employment.
