India’s workforce under strain: 51% clock over 49-hour weekly, raising alarms over work-life balance

By: Shantanu Bhattacharji

India must prioritise the development of sustainable work environments that focus on employee well-being to avert long-term declines in productivity. Without timely reforms, the country risks stalling its economic growth due to a fatigued and overworked labour force.

India is increasingly becoming one of the most overworked nations globally, with the average worker clocking 46.7 hours per week, as reported by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Over 51 per cent of Indian employees work more than 49 hours weekly, placing India second globally, just behind Bhutan. This trend, prevalent across South Asia in countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, reflects a regional issue of prolonged working hours. While economic pressures may be driving these extended hours, experts warn that such patterns could dampen productivity in the long term, with overwork linked to burnout and inefficiency. 

Rising concern over work-life imbalance 

The significant portion of India’s workforce putting in extended hours raises concerns about work-life balance and mental health. In contrast, countries like the UAE and Lesotho, despite higher average weekly hours, report a smaller share of workers exceeding the 49-hour threshold. This highlights deeper systemic issues in India's labour market, where economic demands and inadequate reforms are forcing workers to overextend themselves, especially in the face of limited labour protections. 

Need for reforms to foster sustainable work environments 

While the percentage of Indian workers logging over 49 hours weekly has decreased from 63.4 per cent in 2018 to 50.5 per cent in 2023, the number remains significantly higher than in other countries like South Africa (19.6 per cent), the US (11.8 per cent), Brazil (9.9 per cent), and the UK (8.9 per cent). Experts emphasize that India must focus on creating sustainable work environments that prioritise employee well-being to avoid long-term productivity loss. If reforms are not enacted, the country risks hindering its economic growth due to a fatigued and overworked labour force. 

In contrast to India’s overworked environment, countries like the Netherlands (31.6 hours) and Norway (33.7 hours) exemplify a more balanced work-life approach, showcasing much lower average weekly hours.

The study highlights significant global disparities in working patterns. Vanuatu, for instance, boasts the lowest average working hours at just 24.7 per week, with only 4 per cent of its workforce exceeding 49 hours. This starkly contrasts with the work culture in South Asia. Similarly, Kiribati and the Federated States of Micronesia have average working hours of 27.3 and 30.4, respectively, with very few individuals working beyond the 49-hour threshold. 

Moreover, developed nations like Germany (34.2 hours), Japan (36.6 hours), and Singapore (42.6 hours) report significantly lower rates of excessive working hours, demonstrating that robust labour policies can effectively balance productivity and worker well-being. This highlights the potential benefits of adopting similar strategies in countries grappling with overwork. 

Gender Disparities and Suicides Linked to Work Stress 

Work-related stress, especially among youth, has gained renewed attention following the recent death of 26-year-old EY employee Anna Sebastian Perayil. This incident has intensified debates around workplace culture in India’s high-pressure environments. While the share of men working more than 49 hours weekly has slightly decreased from 86.8 per cent in 2018 to 83.9 per cent in 2023, the share of women has risen from 13.2 per cent to 16.1 per cent. This trend correlates with troubling figures on suicides linked to career problems, with 2,083 cases in 2022, highlighting the immense pressures on workers, particularly younger employees. Youth aged 18-30 accounted for 38.5 per cent of such cases, underscoring the growing burden on the younger workforce in India.

Way forward 

Addressing these challenges requires urgent reforms in labour policies, ensuring that economic growth does not come at the cost of worker well-being. India must implement balanced regulations that limit excessive working hours while promoting mental health and well-being. Ensuring a healthy work-life balance is critical for fostering a productive, sustainable labour force capable of supporting the nation’s ambitious economic goals. 

Regional disparities in work-related suicides  

Maharashtra reported the highest number of work-related suicides across states and Union Territories in 2022, accounting for 30.7 per cent of the total cases. Following Maharashtra were Gujarat with 16.4 per cent, Karnataka at 11.4 per cent, Andhra Pradesh with 4.9 per cent, and both Kerala and Tamil Nadu each contributing 4.8 per cent. This data highlights a regional disparity in the incidence of work-related stress and underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address mental health and labour conditions in these states.