Workers across Europe face significant differences in their weekly working hours, with a gap of nearly eight hours between countries at the top and bottom of the scale, according to new figures from Eurostat that highlight how labour structures, unions and economic models shape working life across the continent.

The data shows that the average working week in the European Union stands at 35.9 hours for people aged 20 to 64 in their main job. However, national averages vary widely, reflecting deep structural differences between labour markets.

At the upper end of the scale, Turkey records the longest average working week at 42.4 hours among EU candidate and EFTA countries, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina at 40.9 hours and Serbia at 40.6 hours. Within the EU itself, Greece leads with 39.6 hours, followed closely by North Macedonia at 39.5 hours and Bulgaria at 38.7 hours. These are the only countries where average working hours exceed 40 hours per week.

Experts say weaker bargaining power and lower productivity levels may contribute to longer hours in these regions. Professor David Spencer of the University of Leeds noted that workers rarely choose their hours freely, pointing instead to employer-driven norms and structural labour conditions.

Jorge Cabrita, senior research manager at Eurofound, said differences in working-time regulations and labour market systems also play a major role in shaping national averages.

At the opposite end, the Netherlands records the shortest working week in Europe at 31.9 hours. Nearly 43% of employment in the country is part-time, a far higher proportion than anywhere else in the EU, which significantly reduces the overall average.

Germany, Norway and Denmark follow with an average of 33.9 hours, while Austria, Belgium and Finland also report relatively short weeks below 35 hours. In these countries, the typical working day is under seven hours across a standard five-day week.

Among Europe’s largest economies, Germany has the shortest working week at 33.9 hours, followed by France at 35.6 hours and Italy at 36.1 hours. Spain records the longest among the four major economies at 36.3 hours. Spencer said Germany’s shorter hours reflect stronger unions and more effective collective bargaining systems.

The Eurostat figures also show clear regional patterns, with Northern and Western Europe generally working fewer hours than Central and Eastern Europe. Economists link this to differences in employment structures, union strength and sectoral composition.

Part-time work is a key factor behind shorter averages, particularly in countries like the Netherlands. By contrast, self-employed workers tend to work longer hours, often due to greater autonomy and business demands.

Sectoral differences are also significant. Skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers average 42 hours per week, while managers work 40.6 hours and armed forces personnel 39.4 hours. In contrast, workers in elementary occupations average 31.8 hours, followed by clerical and service roles at just above 34 hours.

The data underscores how working time across Europe is shaped not only by economic output but also by labour protections, industry mix and national employment traditions.

Global stock markets extended losses on Wednesday as investors navigated a volatile mix of inflation concerns, interest rate uncertainty and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, triggering broad weakness across equities and shifts in commodity prices.

Asian markets led the decline after a sharp technology sell-off on Wall Street spilled into the region. Investors also reacted to renewed military escalation involving the United States and Iran, adding further pressure to already fragile sentiment.

Oil prices fluctuated following US airstrikes against Iran, ordered after former US President Donald Trump pledged retaliation over claims that Iran was responsible for the downing of an Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran responded by warning it would not leave any attack unanswered, raising concerns about further disruption in the strategically vital shipping route.

Despite the heightened tensions, crude prices were slightly lower in early trading. Brent crude hovered around $91.20 a barrel while West Texas Intermediate traded near $87.90, both down around 0.3%. Analysts at ING noted that markets remain highly sensitive to developments in the region, with seasonal demand still providing underlying support even as geopolitical risks persist.

Equity markets reflected the uncertainty. European indices opened mixed, with the Euro Stoxx 50 down 0.3%, while the broader Stoxx 600 gained 0.3%. Germany’s DAX rose modestly, France’s CAC 40 slipped, and London’s FTSE 100 declined 0.5%.

Attention also turned to upcoming US inflation data, with economists expecting consumer prices to rise at their fastest annual rate in more than three years. Strong employment figures from last week have already increased expectations that the Federal Reserve may consider further interest rate hikes, adding pressure to growth-sensitive sectors.

Technology stocks were among the hardest hit globally, with concerns mounting that elevated valuations may not be sustainable following an extended AI-driven rally. Shares of major chipmakers including Micron Technology, Advanced Micro Devices and Marvell Technology fell sharply during US trading.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 closed down 0.3%, while the Nasdaq fell 1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted a small gain, highlighting a divergence between industrial and technology sectors.

In Asia, South Korea’s Kospi dropped 4.7% as semiconductor stocks led losses, with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix both falling sharply. Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 1.4% after producer price data showed inflationary pressures at their highest level in more than three years. SoftBank Group fell nearly 9%, reflecting investor caution around technology-linked holdings.

Chinese markets also weakened, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and the Shanghai Composite both sliding following data showing producer prices rising at the fastest pace in nearly four years. In contrast, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged higher, while India’s Sensex posted gains.

Currency markets remained relatively stable, with the US dollar steady against the yen and the euro slightly firmer. Gold prices dropped about 2%, while US Treasury yields edged higher, reflecting shifting expectations around interest rates.

Bond markets in Europe saw slight declines in yields, contrasting with a rise in US 10-year Treasury yields to 4.545%. Investors continue to weigh inflation risks against slowing global growth, with geopolitical tensions adding another layer of uncertainty.

Market analysts say volatility is likely to persist as traders await key inflation data and further developments in the Middle East, both of which are expected to shape expectations for central bank policy in the weeks ahead.