When you’re looking at the best cities to work in, you also have to consider which ones have the best work-life balance for a well-rounded experience. Every year, mobile access technology company Kisi explores cities around the world and narrows down the ones with the most holistic approach to work and life. This Pacific Prime CXA article looks at the top cities with the best work-life balance in 2022 based on the study’s findings.
A closer look at work-life balance statistics in 2022
Kisi’s annual study explores more than just the cost of living and other standard metrics by diving deeper into factors that impact our modern work culture. For 2022, the study addresses how living and working in cities have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the Ukraine war and growing inflation. It’s safe to say that every city on the list has experienced its own challenges lately. However, pre-existing frameworks and innovative support systems are some reasons why certain places have still managed to come out on top.
Based on Kisi’s findings, the top five cities with the best work-life balance in 2022 are:
- Oslo, Norway
- Bern, Switzerland
- Helsinki, Finland
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Copenhagen, Denmark
Conversely, the top five overworked cities are:
- Dubai, UAE
- Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Singapore, Singapore
- Montevideo, Uruguay
These cities have the highest percentage of overworked people or people who work more than 48 hours per working week. Check out Kisi’s 2022 Work-Life Balance Index for a comprehensive ranking of cities with the best work-life balance, as well as to read about how the factors are evaluated and filter columns for more insight.
Factors that influence work-life balance during a pandemic
Let’s get back into the study itself now that you’re familiar with the places with the best and worst work-life balance globally. Kisi's study isn’t meant to reveal the world’s most liveable cities or the best cities to work. It’s supposed to serve as a guideline for cities to measure how they support the work-life balance of their residents, especially when it comes to alleviating work-related stress. Time management and self-care are becoming increasingly important as burnout rates worsen across the globe.
Kisi’s study hopes to raise awareness of the various ways cities can support employees’ health and wellbeing - with or without a pandemic. In Kisi’s 2019 and 2021 studies, liveability, work intensity, wellbeing and rights were factors that helped determine the best overall work-life balance of cities’ residents. 2022’s study has noticeably more to consider as the pandemic brought about changes such as isolation, social restriction and working from home.
To top it off, the latest index compares locations at different phases of the pandemic to provide more insight into how the novel coronavirus has affected and continues to affect the work-life balance of individuals globally.
How are cities with the best work-life balance selected?
To start off, Kisi’s study chose 100 cities that attract professionals and families for work opportunities and lifestyle offerings. Factors such as overworking, remote working possibilities (% of ‘teleworkable’ jobs in the city), holiday allowance and parental leave were evaluated to determine the overall work intensity of a city.
The percentage of individuals who had to work more than one job to survive and unemployment figures were also areas of focus. Similarly, inflation rates were used to determine where disposable incomes were largely affected by the economic environment. The researchers also observed how residents were being provided with a constructive living environment, such as through LGBTQ+ equality and mental health accessibility and equality. More people turned to mental health services during the pandemic and will continue to do so with the Ukraine war.
Likewise, researchers looked at the impact of the pandemic in each city and the support that residents received. Researchers also determined the liveability of each city by evaluating factors such as affordability, safety, overall happiness, air quality and access to activities (e.g. health, wellness and leisure).
Reach out to Pacific Prime CXA
Has all this work-life balance talk got you thinking about how to promote work-life balance in the workplace? It’s no secret that companies with the best work-life balance have employee benefits in common. Company health insurance plans have gone from a perk to a necessity, which means employers must do more to care for their workforce. A robust employee benefits solution makes it possible to meet your employees’ unique needs.
Whether your company already has an employee benefits plan in place or is just starting to think about it, there’s no better time than now to make sure it’s as good as possible. From flexible benefits to employee wellness programs and more, Pacific Prime CXA can help you design, implement, administer and optimise your employee benefits in Singapore using innovative technology. Contact our team of experts to get started!