📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

These Are the 10 Countries With the Least Paid Vacation — and Where the U.S. Ranks Might Surprise You The U.S. is only one of six countries in the world offering no form of national paid leave.

By Amanda Breen

entrepreneur daily
Blasius Erlinger | Getty Images

Many American employees want to take a vacation to combat feelings of stress and burnout — but some of them simply don't have the option.

According to a new report from Resume.io shared by CNBC Make It, the U.S. is the second-worst country for paid vacation days.

The report, which reviewed data on laws governing annual statutory paid leave and paid public holidays in 197 countries, revealed that the average American receives 10 paid vacation days per year after one year of service and is the only "developed country with no statutory paid leave."

Per The New York Times, the U.S. is only one of six countries in the world that doesn't offer any national form of paid leave.

"The United States' lack of paid vacation days negatively impacts work-life balance in many ways," Lotte van Rijswijk, content team lead at Resume.io, told CNBC Make It.

Related: Here's Why Every Employee Should Have Unlimited Vacation Days

Here's the full list of the 10 countries offering the least paid vacation.

1. Micronesia

Continent: Oceania
Total Paid Vacation Days: 9

2. United States of America

Continent: North America
Total Paid Vacation Days: 10

3. Nauru

Continent: Oceania
Total Paid Vacation Days: 10

4. Palau

Continent: Oceania
Total Paid Vacation Days: 12

5. Kiribati

Continent: Oceania
Total Paid Vacation Days: 13

6. Mexico

Continent: North America
Total Paid Vacation Days: 14

7. China

Continent: Asia
Total Paid Vacation Days: 16

8. Lebanon

Continent: Asia
Total Paid Vacation Days: 17

9. Philippines

Continent: Asia
Total Paid Vacation Days: 17

10. Nigeria

Continent: Africa
Total Paid Vacation Days: 17

Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Money & Finance

12 Books That Self-Made Millionaires Swear By

The bookshelves of millionaires can inspire you to build your wealth. Here are 12 must-reads they recommend.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Devices

Stay Focused and Accessible with These $40 Conduction Headphones

These headphones sit on top of your ears, so you can take calls while staying tuned into your surroundings.

Green Entrepreneur®

A Deer Invasion in Hawaii Has Turned Into an Environmental Crisis—And a Sustainable Business Opportunity

How Maui Nui Venison built a for-profit harvesting business that protects the land and helps the local community.

Devices

Keep the Office Cool This Summer with $10 Off a Klima Thermostat

The Klima Smart Thermostat can turn your existing mini split, heat pump, or AC into a smart unit.

Starting a Business

Clinton Sparks Podcast: Founder of Chuck E. Cheese, Atari Discusses Innovation and His Advice to Young People

This podcast is a fun, entertaining and informative show that will teach you how to succeed and achieve your goals with practical advice and actionable steps given through compelling stories and conversations with Clinton and his guests.