Employees around the world increasingly desire a 4-day work week.

A large-scale study by the consulting firm Qualtrics, published in May 2025, finds that 54% of employees worldwide would choose a 4-day work week over a higher salary. Additionally, 32% say they would even accept a reduction in compensation if it led to an extra day off.

These results reflect the global trend towards seeking a better work-life balance. Several countries, such as the UK, Spain, Iceland, and Japan, are already running successful pilot programs, proving that productivity not only does not decrease, but often even increases. For example, in the United Kingdom, 92% of the companies participating in a pilot project in 2022-2023 continue to implement the 4-day work week.

The main benefits highlighted by experts are increased motivation, lower burnout levels, and improved mental health of employees. More and more employers in the technology, creative, and education sectors are starting to test this model as a means of retaining talent.

However, specialists warn that the key to success is in good planning, clear task allocation, and avoiding overload on the remaining workdays. The topic is expected to be a priority in the labor policies of many countries in the coming years.