South African Public Holidays... do we have the worlds most?

Photo Cred: On File | Supplied

Does South Africa have too many public holidays?

Johannesburg, South Africa (15 November 2017) – South Africans are entitled to 12 public holidays a year… but how does that fair with the rest of the world? Wego.com released an awesome infographic which we’ve posted below… for perspective and to make you green with envy!

“India has the most number of public holidays at around 21 days each year, even more depending on which state you live in,” said Joachim Holte, chief marketing officer of travel search site Wego, which has revealed a list of countries with the most number of national holidays.

“China is not only one of the fastest growing travel segments in the world, their government makes it easy for workers to take longer breaks. Should the year’s public holidays fall on a weekend the government swaps the official dates with weekdays, maximising time off,” he explained.

The total of 17 public holidays equates to 28 days off. Similarly the Taiwanese total of 13 public holidays results in 29 days off inclusive of weekends.

The UAE ranked lower than many of its Asian peers, with 11 days off per year.

Mexico was found to have the lowest number of public holidays in the world, at seven, although the government permits a few more ‘optional’ public holidays, at the employer’s discretion, Wego said.

“Some countries however provide a little more in the way of statutory holiday leave which can top up public holidays nicely,” said Holte.

“The Philippines public holiday count of 18 is increased with an additional five days mandatory holiday leave, and while Australian workers receive around 10 public holidays depending on which state you live in, annual holiday leave entitlement totals an additional 20 working days.”