If I asked you which country was the most productive in the world, what would you say

Japan? America?

Those were my answers, but they’re not even in the top 5.

Every year, Expert Markets study the productivity of countries around the globe. Their measurement stick, however, isn’t hours worked per week.

Rather, they calculate hours worked divided into income generated toward the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). In other words, how much dough the average citizen earns per hour of effort.

Which makes sense, since being productive isn’t about working as much as possible. It’s about working as little as possible for the biggest return.

Of course, money isn’t the only measure of success. But for the purposes of this study, it’s a good yardstick. And, using that yardstick, the countries that work the MOST per week actually earn the LEAST.

For example, while the average American works 33.6 hours per week and earns $68 GDP dollars per hour worked, Luxembourg citizens work, on average, 4.6 hours less per week and earn $25 more.

Luxembourg isn’t the only example. Norway workers work 6.3 hours less and earn $13 more. Belgium workers work 3.9 hours less and earn $1.40 more.

The list goes on. And, while there are some outliers, the trend stays consistent: the more hours worked, the less money earned. The less hours worked, the more money earned.

Now, there are a lot of factors at play here. Like, a lot.

So, making a blanket statement like, “just work less and you’ll make more money” is ignorant.
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But at a minimum, this data tells me that being productive isn’t all about jamming more hours into your day.

It tells me that creating more value means working smarter, not longer.

It tells me that productivity has more to do with rest and non-work activities than we might like to think.

It tells me that success doesn’t come from burning the candle at both ends and that well-being isn’t associated with single-mindedly focusing on work—it comes from living a balanced life.

If every moment of your day is spent hustling and grinding, it might be time to reconsider the data.

Find a way to reduce that sense of overwhelm by taking a little time off, and you just might find that your productivity increases at the same time.

Alternatively, you could just move to Luxembourg 😉.

About the Author

Michael Mehlberg

HUSBAND, FATHER, ENTREPRENEUR, BUSINESS STRATEGIST, AUTHOR, FITNESS NUT, ORGANIZATION FREAK, PRODUCTIVITY JUNKIE

I help high-achieving entrepreneurs organize their brain and schedule so they can organize their life and business.

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