Top 10 Cities For Work-Life Balance In 2024

Last updated on September 20th, 2025 at 12:28 pm

Work-life balance is crucial for everyone worldwide. Achieving a perfect work-life balance often enhances engagement at work. In 2024, we refer to a report from Forbes that highlights the top 10 cities in the world for work-life balance, as compiled by software company Kisi.

The ranking is based on various factors such as paid leave, workplace safety, and flexibility to work remotely. So, which are the 10 best cities for work-life balance in 2024? Let’s explore!

Ranking	City	Country	Happiness Index	Gender Inequality Index Ranking	Average Employee Weekly Working Hours	No. Days Annual Leave (excluding public holidays)	Property Price to Income Ratio	Proportion of Remote Working Vacancies (%)	Paid Maternity Leave*	No. of Parks and Nature Reserves	Unemployment Rate	Sunlight Hours (Annual)	Work-Life Balance Score
1	Copenhagen	Denmark	7.62	1	25.9	25	8.9	27	52 weeks	54	2.40%	1635	70.5
2	Helsinki	Finland	7.84	6	29.4	25	10.7	51	52 weeks	65	7.00%	1860	65.1
3	Stockholm	Sweden	7.36	4	29.1	25	14.2	46	320 days	75	6.90%	1907	64.8
4	Oslo	Norway	7.39	2	26.9	25	14.3	35	480 days	6	4.99%	1690	63.2
5	Auckland	New Zealand	7.28	25	26.3	20	10.8	24	52 weeks	59	3.20%	2005	62.7
6	Gothenburg	Sweden	7.36	4	29.1	25	8.8	42	480 days	35	6.90%	1760	60.7
7	Reykjavik	Iceland	7.55	8	33.6	24	7.4	46	6 months	27	4.00%	1330	58.7
8	Vienna	Austria	7.27	12	32.4	30	11.5	25	16 weeks	79	2.30%	1925	58.5
9	Edinburgh	Scotland	7.06	27	25.6	28	8.3	28	39 weeks	38	3.00%	1440	57.1
10	Belfast	Northern Ireland	7.06	27	25.6	28	7.4	27	39 weeks	27	2.30%	1302	57
11	Luxembourg City	Luxembourg	7.32	9	27.4	26	12.6	29	20 weeks	51	4.80%	1778	56.7
12	Amsterdam	Netherlands	7.46	5	26.9	20	10.3	20	10 weeks	58	4.01%	1670	55.6
13	Zurich	Switzerland	7.57	3	31.6	20	11.2	27	16 weeks	15	1.80%	1699	55
14	Prague	Czech Republic	6.97	34	32.8	20	19.3	52	14 weeks	101	2.60%	1674	53.6
15	Manchester	England	7.06	14	25.6	28	7.1	30	39 weeks	120	7.10%	1420	53.4
16	Glasgow	Scotland	7.06	27	25.6	28	7.2	28	39 weeks	45	4.10%	1282	53.3
17	Brisbane	Australia	7.46	19	32.4	20	10	23	10 weeks	90	2.30%	2999	53.3
18	Melbourne	Australia	7.18	19	32.4	20	11.2	35	16 weeks	141	4.40%	2380	53.1
19	Dublin	Ireland	7.09	21	33.6	20	8.2	37	18 weeks	82	4.50%	1440	52.8
20	Rotterdam	Netherlands	7.46	5	26.9	20	5.6	10	26 weeks	28	4.01%	1722	52.7
21	Madrid	Spain	6.49	14	25.9	22	10.1	38	18 weeks	82	11.50%	2740	51.9
22	Sydney	Australia		19	38	20	5	34	60 days	164	3.80%	2600	51.4
23	Barcelona	Spain	6.49	14	25.9	22	12.2	34	18 weeks	149	10.16%	2530	51.3
24	Valencia	Spain	6.49	14	25.9	22	10.7	34	16 weeks	63	17.10%	2701	50.6
25	Abu Dhabi	United Arab Emirates	6.56	11	40	24	5.1	47	16 weeks	32	3.36%	3580	50.4
*Minimum leave, subject to circumstances – in countries where parental leave can be split, single parent maternity leave has been taken into account, eg, in Sweden mother + father can split maternity/paternity in half but single mother/father can take the full 480 days leave

Top 10 Cities For Work-Life Balance

Copenhagen, Denmark

Work-Life Balance Score: 70.5

Copenhagen is the best city for work-life balance, emphasizing sustainability and a high quality of life. Flexible working hours and a five-week minimum annual leave are common in companies, aligning with the Danish ‘hygge’ lifestyle.

Helsinki, Finland

Work-Life Balance Score: 65.1

Helsinki takes the second spot, promoting a healthy work-life balance through a focus on community and a healthy lifestyle. Finland’s progressive social policies include fair parental leave and generous annual leave.

Stockholm, Sweden

Work-Life Balance Score: 64.8

Stockholm is the third-best city, offering a strong economy, a high standard of living, and a thriving cultural scene. Swedish employees enjoy a minimum of 25 days of annual leave, and flexible work arrangements are common.

Oslo, Norway

Work-Life Balance Score: 63.2

Oslo, with its high standard of living, secures the fourth position. Companies in Oslo often provide flexible working hours, enabling employees to balance work with personal life.

Auckland, New Zealand

Work-Life Balance Score: 62.7

Auckland breaks into the top 5, offering a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. With a growing and diverse economy, employees in Auckland work an average of 26.3 hours weekly, enjoying a rejuvenating environment.

Gothenburg, Sweden

Work-Life Balance Score: 60.7

Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city, provides residents easy access to beaches and natural beauty. With 25 days of annual leave, it’s a great place to maintain work-life balance.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Work-Life Balance Score: 58.7

Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, is a dream location for nature lovers. The Icelandic government actively promotes a healthy work-life balance, with employees entitled to 24 days of annual leave.

Vienna, Austria

Work-Life Balance Score: 58.5

Vienna’s high quality of life and rich cultural scene make it an ideal place to live for people seeking a better work-life balance. Austria offers generous annual leave and an extensive range of green spaces.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Work-Life Balance Score: 57.1

Edinburgh, the first UK city in the top 10, boasts a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. With 28 days of annual leave and generous maternity leave, it provides ample opportunities for leisure.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Work-Life Balance Score: 57

Belfast, the second entry from the UK, offers a bustling yet relaxed atmosphere with a growing tech sector. It’s an affordable option with generous maternity leave and numerous opportunities for enjoying the city.

These cities are recognized for their commitment to creating environments where individuals can effectively balance their professional and personal lives, as reported by Forbes in 2023.