According to a recent report published by the World of Statistics, Nigerian workers have secured second position in the global ranking of the most hardworking workers, with an average of 2,124 working hours per worker annually.
This places Nigeria just behind Mexico, whose workers topped the chart by a mere four hours, recording 2,128 hours annually.
News About Nigeria understands that the report highlights Nigeria’s remarkable work ethic, positioning the country as the most hardworking nation in Africa.
Although the report does not specify the nature of work undertaken by the countries in the top rankings, it is notable that the leading nations are not predominantly focused on the technology sector.
In Nigeria, the standard working hours for most public and private employees range from eight hours per day, either from 8 AM to 4 PM or 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.
However, certain industries such as media houses, hospitals, security agencies, and manufacturing sectors may require workers to put in additional hours, including shifts on Saturdays or Sundays.
It is worth mentioning that informal sectors, like market vendors and other traders, often extend their working days to up to ten hours.
The top five countries following Nigeria in the hardworking index are Costa Rica, ranking third with 2,073 working hours per year, followed by Colombia (1,964) in fourth place, and Chile in fifth place with 1,916 hours.
Surprisingly, South Korea, known for its advancements in technology, secures the sixth position, with its workers contributing an average of 1,910 working hours per year. Other countries that made the list include Malta (1,882 hours), Russia (1,874 hours), Greece (1,872 hours), and Romania (1,838 hours).
In comparison, the United States, the world’s largest economy, ranks 13th, with its workers putting in an average of 1,791 hours annually. Japan, the third-largest economy globally, lags behind at the 30th position, with workers contributing 1,607 hours each year.
Germany, the dominant economy in Europe, occupies the 50th spot, with its employees working an average of 1,349 hours annually.
Among African countries, South Africa takes second place on the continent, with its workers putting in 1,513 hours annually, securing the 36th position worldwide.
This places Nigerian workers at an advantage, as they spend at least five more hours engaging in productive activities compared to their South African counterparts.
The World of Statistics, a global network comprising nearly 2,360 organizations worldwide, aims to raise public awareness about the power and impact of statistics across all aspects of society. Additionally, the organization seeks to foster statistical proficiency, especially among young individuals, and promote creativity and advancement in the fields of probability and statistics.
