Nigerian workers have reached a huge milestone by ranking second in the world among the hardest-working employees, trailing only their Mexican colleagues. According to a recent World of Statistics survey, Nigerian workers devote an average of 2,124 hours a year to their jobs.
Mexican workers top the list, with a four-hour differential
According to the World of Statistics research, Mexican employees outperformed their Nigerian counterparts by only four hours, clocking in an average of 2,128 working hours per year. This ranks Nigeria as the most industrious country in Africa, highlighting the country’s strong work ethic and dedication to its workforce.
Nigerian work hours and industries
In Nigeria, the regular working hours for most public and private sector personnel extend eight hours every day, typically from 8 AM to 4 PM or 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. However, certain sectors such as journalism, healthcare, security agencies, and manufacturing businesses may necessitate extended workdays that include weekends and shift rotations.
The survey notes that informal employees, such as market women and traders, often go above and beyond by putting in up to ten hours of work per day, said Vanguard. While the report does not define the nature of the job conducted, it shows that the top-ranked countries in terms of working hours are not largely driven by technology-oriented occupations.
Global ranking
Following Nigeria’s lead, three Central and South American countries are close behind. Costa Rica ranks third with 2,073 hours, followed by Colombia in fourth (1,964 hours) and Chile in fifth (1,916 hours). Surprisingly, South Korea, known for its technological advances, ranks sixth, with workers working an average of 1,910 hours each year. Malta (1,882 hours), Russia (1,874 hours), Greece (1,872 hours), and Romania (1,838 hours) are also prominent countries.
The survey also gives light on workers’ working hours in key global economies. The United States, the world’s largest economy, ranks 13th with an average of 1,791 working hours per year, while Japan, the world’s third-largest economy, ranks 30th with 1,607 working hours per year. Germany, Europe’s largest economy, ranks 50th, with employees working 1,349 hours per year on average. South Africa ranks second on the African continent, with workers putting in 1,513 hours a year, placing them 36th on the global list.
With Nigerian workers contributing 2,124 hours per year, each employee spends at least five hours engaged in productive activities compared to their South African colleagues, who work four hours less. This strong work ethic demonstrates Nigeria’s potential for higher productivity and economic success.