Weekly Working Hours in Southeast Asia

Working hours are an important indicator of working conditions, productivity, and workers’ well-being. According to data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), weekly working hours vary considerably across Southeast Asian countries.

The figures show that some countries have relatively shorter working weeks, while others record considerably longer average hours. The ILO notes that actual hours worked are generally below the 48-hour weekly standard established in its international labour standards, while governments are encouraged to progressively move toward a 40-hour working week.

Among the countries listed, Timor-Leste records the shortest average weekly working hours, at 34.9 hours. Indonesia follows with 40.0 hours, while Cambodia records 40.4 hours.

The Philippines has a slightly higher figure of 40.6 hours, followed by Laos at 41.5 hours and Vietnam at 41.6 hours. These countries remain relatively close to the 40-hour benchmark promoted by the ILO.

Working hours become longer in Thailand and Singapore, where workers average 42.3 and 42.6 hours per week, respectively. Myanmar and Malaysia both record 44.7 hours, placing them among the countries with the longest average working weeks in the region. Brunei has the highest figure in the list, at 46.0 hours per week.

The differences between countries can be influenced by economic structure, employment patterns, national labour regulations, and the prevalence of informal or self-employed work.

It is also important to distinguish between average hours actually worked and legal limits on normal working hours. For example, the ILO reports that national statutory limits can differ significantly from the number of hours workers actually work.

Overall, these figures demonstrate that working time in Southeast Asia is diverse. Timor-Leste stands out for its comparatively short working week, while Brunei records the longest among the countries listed.

The regional average is also significant: the ILO reported that workers in Southeast Asia worked an average of 39.9 hours per week in 2023. These differences highlight the importance of labour policies that balance economic productivity with adequate rest, health, family responsibilities, and workers’ overall well-being.