Mapped paid vacation days. GRAHPIC/RESUME.IO

By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Whether it’s a day off in lieu of a national holiday, a religious festival, or simply a mandated minimum for paid vacation days, there are different rules in each country that set the base threshold of paid time off for workers.

Resume.io analyzed the laws on statutory paid leave and paid public holidays in every country around the world and created these graphics to reveal the minimum amount of vacation days employees are entitled to (at least on paper).

The data in the study focuses in on two types of paid leave: public holidays and paid vacation days. Combine them together and you have the total amount of paid leave.

In general, some African, European, and Central Asian countries, including Togo (43), San Marino (46) and Yemen (45), have been extremely generous with doling out vacation days.

At the very top is Iran with a total of 53 vacation days, split almost equally between public holidays and paid time off.

Meanwhile, others including the Oceanic countries of Micronesia (9) and Nauru (10) rank at the bottom of the list. The U.S. is tied with Nauru in second-last place, with employees mandated a minimum of only 10 vacation days a year.

Experts have also pointed out that just as holidays work on a cycle, work-life balance and mental health require ongoing attention and maintenance. Taking a four-week tour of the world this year won’t protect you if you feel too guilty to take the leave you’re offered next year. Regular time off provides the opportunity to pause and reflect, to prioritize and plan. More detailed information about the infographic is here.