Canada was just ranked among the best countries in the world and it wiped the US off the map

If you're dreaming about the best countries to live in — especially ones that offer a great quality of life — you might want to stay right where you are.

A new global ranking named Canada one of the top 10 best countries in the world for life-work balance, and the U.S. didn't just miss the upper tier — it landed just about dead last.

According to Remote's 2025 Global Life-Work Balance Index, Canada has one of the best work-life balance scores on the planet. The index ranks the world's top 60 economies based on factors that shape everyday life, from paid time off and health care to public safety and happiness.

Remote reviewed everything from average work hours and sick pay to 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusivity — and while Canada dropped two spots from fifth place last year, it still made a strong showing at No. 7.

Meanwhile, the United States came in at a jaw-dropping 59th place. Yes, out of 60.

The study isn't just about who's getting the most days off — though that's a big part of it. It's about how each country sets up its people to actually live well.

That includes things like how much time off you're legally entitled to, how safe and happy people feel, and whether you're likely to have access to good health care.

Canada scored well across the board — especially on public safety, inclusive policies and universal health care — and stood out as the only country in the Americas to make the top 10.

"Canadian workplaces tend to value punctuality and dependability, but employees typically maintain a healthy separation between work and family life," the ranking says.

Meanwhile, the U.S. dropped four spots this year and now ranks just one place from the bottom. Remote says that's partly due to worsening scores in safety and LGBTQ+ rights.

And while Americans continue to work some of the longest hours among developed nations, they don't benefit from a guaranteed vacation days or paid maternity leave — the only country on the list not to have either of these policies in place at a national level.

Remote's full methodology looked at 10 main factors, which were combined and indexed to a score out of 100. Coming in first place for the third year in a row is New Zealand, with a score of 86.87 — perhaps not surprising from a country whose own government website states that "life is for living and employers generally respect that."

Canada clocked in with a respectable 73.46, although its score was brought down somewhat by its relatively stingy time off and paid maternity leave policies. The U.S. though? Our neighbours to the south scored a measly 31.17, beating only Nigeria.

If you're wondering where (else) in the world has nailed the balance between life and work, here's Remote's top 10 list for 2025:

1. New Zealand — 86.87
2. Ireland — 81.17
3. Belgium — 75.91
4. Germany — 74.65
5. Norway — 74.20
6. Denmark — 73.76
7. Canada — 73.46
8. Australia — 72.10
9. Spain — 71.94
10. Finland — 70.86

So while Canada might've slipped out of the top five, it's still holding strong — and when it comes to life-work balance, we're absolutely crushing our neighbours to the south.

That 51st state offer is sounding worse by the minute, but maybe the U.S. wants to be the 11th province?

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AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of Narcity's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.