The Relationship between the Average Workweek Length and Per Capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

A fundamental question in the labor market is, "What is the optimum number of hours a person should work?" There is no definitive answer to this question, but in this study we provide some clarifications to assist in answering this question. First, we present a brief historical review of the number of hours worked in the last two centuries and note that the 40-hour workweek and 8-hour workday are not based on any scientific analysis that proves that these are the optimum hours of work. Second, we review various studies that argue that working an extreme number of hours has little benefit. Third, we present data that show that workers in wealthier countries work on average fewer hours than workers in poorer countries and that a reduction in the average weekly hours worked in a country does not cause per capita GDP of the country to decline.