European Union (28 countries) vs United States of America: Hours of work needed to escape poverty — Working hours needed to
Hours of work needed to escape poverty — Working hours needed to over time
- European Union (28 countries)
- United States of America
How they compare
United States of America currently reports 24 Hours per week against 18 Hours per week in European Union (28 countries), a difference of 6 Hours per week.
That makes United States of America's figure about 1.3 times European Union (28 countries)'s.
Across all 18 years both countries report, United States of America has been ahead every year.
European Union (28 countries) ranks 6th and United States of America ranks 4th of 8 groups.
United States of America has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | European Union (28 countries) | United States of America | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 19.11 Hours per week | 22.11 Hours per week | 3 Hours per week | United States of America |
| 2010s | 18.56 Hours per week | 21 Hours per week | 2.44 Hours per week | United States of America |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher hours of work needed to escape poverty — working hours needed to, European Union (28 countries) or United States of America?
- United States of America, at 24 Hours per week against 18 Hours per week in European Union (28 countries) as of 2025.
- What is the difference in hours of work needed to escape poverty — working hours needed to between European Union (28 countries) and United States of America?
- 6 Hours per week, with United States of America ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for European Union (28 countries) and United States of America?
- 18 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2018.
- How do European Union (28 countries) and United States of America rank globally for hours of work needed to escape poverty — working hours needed to?
- European Union (28 countries) ranks 6th and United States of America ranks 4th of 8 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as Hours of work needed to escape poverty — Working hours needed to escape poverty for a jobless family claiming minimum income benefits. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
This indicator measures the working hours needed to escape poverty for a jobless family claiming minimum income benefits. Calculations for families with children assume 2 children aged 4 and 6 who do not use formal childcare.