Which Countries Have the Most Public Holidays?
Ranking the countries with the most public holidays. See where your country stands and discover which nations give workers the most days off.
Ever wondered if your country is generous with public holidays? The difference between countries can be striking - some nations give workers over 20 paid public holidays per year, while others offer fewer than 10.
Top Countries for Public Holidays
- Cambodia: 28 public holidays
- Sri Lanka: 25 public holidays
- India: 21 public holidays (varies by state)
- Kazakhstan: 20 public holidays
- Colombia: 18 public holidays
- Philippines: 18 public holidays
- Hong Kong: 17 public holidays
- Japan: 16 public holidays
- Thailand: 16 public holidays
- Argentina: 15 public holidays
Countries with Fewer Holidays
- Mexico: 7 public holidays
- United Kingdom: 8 public holidays (England)
- Netherlands: 8 public holidays
- Canada: 9 public holidays (federal)
- United States: 11 federal holidays
The Full Picture
Raw numbers don't tell the whole story. Some countries with fewer public holidays compensate with generous annual leave requirements. The EU mandates at least 20 paid vacation days, while the US has no federal requirement for paid time off.
Religious diversity also plays a role. Countries with multiple major religions often recognize holidays from each, leading to higher totals. India's large number reflects Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, and Buddhist observances.
When Holidays Fall on Weekends
Countries handle weekend holidays differently. Japan, the UK, and many others give a 'substitute holiday' on Monday when a public holiday falls on Sunday. The US moves some holidays (like Presidents' Day) to always fall on Monday, creating guaranteed long weekends.