A recent report by Expedia reveals that Canadians, on average, take more vacation days annually compared to Americans.
According to the Vacation Deprivation Report, 58 per cent of Canadians feel they are not getting enough time off, a sentiment shared by 65 per cent of Americans.
The report, which has been tracking global time-off trends for 24 years, found that Canadians take seven more vacation days each year than their American counterparts. Despite this, less than half of Canadians used all their vacation days in 2023, and only a quarter have already booked or taken vacation in 2024.
“We may not be able to control how many days off we get, but the research begs the question: What can we learn from other countries that will help Canadians use their time off to the fullest extent,” said Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations, highlighted the disparity in vacation habits between countries.
Different approaches in different cultures
The report underscores the varied approaches to vacation time across different cultures. For instance, Japanese workers, who take an average of 12 days off annually, report the lowest levels of vacation deprivation globally at 53 per cent. Conversely, Americans, who average 11 days off, experience higher levels of deprivation.
In Canada, the primary reason for leaving vacation days unused was saving them for emergencies. In contrast, Americans cited busy lives as the main barrier to taking time off.
Varying vacation strategies
The report also provided insights into effective vacation strategies from around the world. Japanese workers frequently take short breaks by capitalizing on public holidays, while French workers spread their vacation days throughout the year rather than saving them for a single trip.
Fish noted that these strategies could benefit Canadians. “In Japan, people take time off every month instead of just twice a year. For the French, a full month of vacation still doesn’t feel like enough time. Clearly there’s a lot to borrow from, whether it’s spreading your PTO throughout the year or prioritizing rest on your next vacation,” she said.
The study included responses from over 11,580 participants across the U.S., UK, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, conducted between March 26 and April 3, 2024, by Harris Research Partners.
Expedia’s annual Vacation Deprivation Report aims to examine the work-life balance of people worldwide, offering insights into how different cultures manage and perceive their time off.