Top 10 hardest-working African countries in 2025

Across Africa, millions of people are putting in longer hours than almost anywhere else in the world. Fresh data from the World Population Review ranks more than 150 countries by average weekly working hours in 2025, and ten African countries stand out among the hardest-working globally.

While the global average hovers around 38.7 hours per week, many African economies exceed 45 hours, with some approaching or surpassing 50 hours.

These numbers expose the continent’s labour reality, where informal work, low wages, and limited automation often mean longer days spent earning a living.

The data also reveals a stark global contrast. In Europe, countries such as the Netherlands (26.8 hours) and Norway (27.1 hours) enjoy some of the shortest workweeks in the world, supported by high productivity, automation, and strong labour protections.

In Africa, however, long hours are often a story of resilience, survival, and necessity. They reflect a continent where low incomes and limited job security push millions to work longer simply to stay afloat.

Being “hardest-working” does not necessarily indicate higher productivity, but rather more time spent on labour, often for modest earnings and minimal rest.

At the same time, these long hours also reflect the vibrancy and tenacity of African workers, demonstrating a capacity to match or even exceed the work output seen in more structured and well-compensated labour systems elsewhere, such as in Europe.

At the top of the African list is Sudan, where workers average 50.8 hours per week, nearly twice the Dutch figure. With persistent inflation and widespread informal labour, many Sudanese juggle multiple jobs to meet basic needs.

Lesotho follows at 50.2 hours, driven by its textile industry and cross-border labour ties with South Africa. The Republic of the Congo (48.7 hours) and São Tomé and Príncipe (48.2 hours) also record long workweeks in economies dependent on agriculture, tourism, and construction.

In Liberia, citizens work about 47.5 hours weekly, mostly in self-employment or small trade due to scarce formal opportunities. Egypt, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Zimbabwe, and Senegal all exceed 44 hours, underscoring how survival demands stretch work time beyond global norms.

Experts note that longer hours rarely translate into higher productivity. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that over 80% of Africa’s workforce operates in the informal sector, where labour protections and income stability are minimal.

By contrast, Europe’s shorter workweeks like Norway’s 27.1 hours or Denmark’s 28.8 hours, pair efficiency with a better quality of life.

In Africa, each additional hour of labour reflects resilience and perseverance and serves as a testament to strength in the face of adversity. However, it also underscores a sobering reality that extended working hours often signify economic necessity rather than genuine prosperity.