The "Hustle" Paradox
There is a massive divide in global work culture. In Latin America and parts of Asia, working 2,000+ hours a year is the norm. Mexico consistently ranks as the hardest working nation in the OECD.
Contrast this with Northern Europe. Germany and The Netherlands have the lowest working hours in the world (~1,350 hours/year), yet they maintain some of the highest productivity levels per hour. This suggests that efficiency, not duration, drives economic success.
Retirement Age Reality
Table: Official vs Effective Retirement Age.
| Country | Official Age | Effective Exit Age |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 65 | 71.2 (Late) |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 60 | 72.3 (Late) |
| 🇺🇸 USA | 67 | 66.9 (On Time) |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 66 | 64.5 (Early) |
| 🇫🇷 France | 64 | 60.8 (Very Early) |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | 60 | 58.2 (Earliest) |