Who gets the most days off? These countries lead the world in public holidays
When it comes to taking a break, some countries clearly prioritize time off more than others. According to a visual by World Visualized, nations in South Asia and Southeast Asia dominate the list of countries with the most public holidays — with India topping the chart at a whopping 42 days off annually.
But what’s behind these high holiday counts? We take a deeper look at why these countries offer so many public holidays, with insights from World Population Review and The Times of India.
India – 42 Days
India has the highest number of public holidays in the world — but there’s a catch. As The Times of India explains, the 42 holidays include national, religious, and regional holidays. Since India is a multicultural and multi-religious nation, holidays span across Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, and regional celebrations. Additionally, each state has its own unique set of holidays, so not all 42 days apply uniformly across the country.
Nepal – 35 Days
Nepal is second with 35 holidays annually. According to World Population Review, the country observes a vast number of religious and cultural festivals, largely rooted in Hinduism and Buddhism. Dashain and Tihar (similar to Diwali) are celebrated for multiple days, significantly contributing to the total.
Iran – 26 Days
Iran has many Islamic religious holidays, especially those based on the Shia calendar, like Ashura and Eid al-Ghadir. In addition, Nowruz (Persian New Year) is a multi-day public holiday. The religious lunar calendar and national commemorations both factor into Iran’s high holiday count.
Myanmar – 26 Days
Myanmar’s holidays are deeply tied to the Buddhist lunar calendar, including Thingyan (Water Festival), which lasts for several days. Time Out Dubai notes that festivals such as Waso Full Moon Day and Thadingyut are observed nationally, adding to the total.
Sri Lanka – 25 Days
Sri Lanka's holiday calendar reflects its ethnic and religious diversity. The country recognizes Poya Days (monthly Buddhist full moon days), along with Hindu, Muslim, and Christian holidays. These recurring religious observances are why Sri Lanka maintains one of the highest holiday counts.
