Over 45 hours a week worked 10.8 percent of the employed in the EU, in Bulgaria this share is the lowest
BRUSSELS – More than 45 hours a week, combining their main and additional work, were worked by 10.8 percent of the employed in the European Union in the second quarter of 2025, according to data from Eurostat.
The data shows significant differences between EU countries regarding people who worked more than 45 hours a week. The highest share was observed in Greece (20.9 percent), followed by Cyprus (16.6 percent) and Malta (14.6 percent). On the other hand, the lowest share was reported in Bulgaria (2.5 percent), Latvia (4.1 percent), and Romania (5.9 percent).
The duration of working time between 20 and 44 hours a week, as a combination of main and second jobs, is the most popular in the EU, with 72.3 percent of all employed persons falling into this category. Among EU countries, the highest share of people in this group is reported by Bulgaria (92.8 percent), Romania (90.6 percent), and Latvia (86.9 percent).
At the EU level, 16.9 percent of employed persons aged 20-64 work up to 19 hours a week. The highest share in this category is observed in the Netherlands (26.8 percent), Denmark (25.5 percent), and Austria (25.3 percent). Conversely, the lowest share is in Romania – 3.5 percent, Bulgaria – 4.6 percent, and Greece – 6.1 percent. (October 7)
