Expedia has just released an interesting survey, comparing vacation entitlements in different countries.

The first result confirmed many preconceptions; American workers keep their noses firmly to the grindstone, with an average allowance of just 13 vacation days each year, while French workers luxuriate in more vacation time than anyone else – an average of 38 days a year.

New Zealanders, although slightly better off than their Australian or Canadian colleagues, are closer to the American than the French average, with 21 days vacation each year.*

When it comes to the number of days workers actually use of their vacation allowances, more preconceptions are confirmed. Japanese workers, despite an allowance of 15 days leave, actually take just 8 days, the lowest number in the survey – lower even than Americans’ 10 days.

New Zealanders forego an average of 2 days leave each year – similar to workers in other countries.

Vacation Entitlements in Different Countries v Vacation Days Actually Used

So, do New Zealander’s get enough holidays?

Not surprisingly, workers arriving in NZ from America tend to be impressed by the generous vacation allowances compared with the USA, while workers coming from the UK and Europe can feel somewhat deprived.

*New Zealand’s legal minimum vacation entitlement is four weeks.

Workers can often earn five weeks’ holiday after a number of years with one employer.

In addition to four weeks vacation, the country has 10 public holidays.