For years, India’s work culture has sparked endless debates. Are we working too much, or are we just pretending to be busy while waiting for the chaiwala to show up?
Some argue that long hours mean higher productivity, while others swear by smart work over sheer hustle. But what do the numbers say?
A study by the PM’s Economic Advisory Council, along with the 2019 Time Use Survey, offers some surprising insights. While Gujarat’s workforce logs some of the longest hours in the country, Goa—where the ‘susegad’ life thrives—works the least but still manages to shine economically. So, does working harder mean earning more, or is efficiency the real game-changer?
Which State Works The Hardest?
If there were a trophy for overworking, Gujarat would win hands down. A staggering 7.2% of Gujarat’s workforce puts in over 70 hours a week, the highest in India. Punjab, Maharashtra, and West Bengal are also in the hustle club, trailing not too far behind.
On the flip side, Bihar has the lowest percentage of people working extreme hours—almost seven times fewer than Gujarat. But when it comes to average daily working hours, Delhi takes the lead, with people working 8.3 hours per day. Meanwhile, Goans clock in just 5.5 hours daily, proving that maybe working less is the real secret to success.
Do Urbanites Work More Than Villagers?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Also yes, but with numbers. The average city worker in India toils for 7.8 hours a day, while their rural counterpart works 6.5 hours. So, city life isn’t just about traffic jams and overpriced coffee; it also means longer working hours.
Among urban states, Rajasthan leads with 8.6 hours per day, followed by Uttarakhand (8.3) and Gujarat (8.3). Meanwhile, the most chill urban workers reside in Meghalaya (6.3 hours), Manipur (6.1 hours), and Goa (5.9 hours).
In villages, Uttarakhand (7.7 hours), Punjab (7.3 hours), and Jharkhand (7.2 hours) top the list, while Assam, Nagaland, and Goa keep it relaxed with fewer hours.
Men Vs. Women
Men may work longer hours at their jobs, but let’s not forget the invisible labour done by women—especially in rural India. While men in urban areas work 8.2 hours per day, women work 6.2 hours—often balancing unpaid household chores. In villages, the gap remains, with men working 7.3 hours and women 5.6 hours.
Sociologist Dr. Surbhi Sharma points out, “Work statistics often ignore unpaid labor, which women disproportionately bear. If household work were counted, women would outwork men by a mile.” Maybe it’s time to redefine what ‘working hard’ really means.
Government Vs. Private Sector
Government jobs are infamous for ‘job security’ (read: occasional chai breaks), but do they work fewer hours? On average, yes—government employees clock in an hour less per day compared to private-sector workers.
However, in states like Telangana and Rajasthan, government employees actually work two hours more per day than their counterparts in Assam, Meghalaya, and Kerala. So, while a sarkari naukri may be a dream for some, it isn’t always a ticket to an easy street.
Also Read: Indian Youngsters Are Giving Up The Hustle Culture And Adopting This Instead
Does Working More Mean Earning More?
One would think that more hours mean more money, right? Not quite. Goa, which works the least, has one of the highest per capita productivity rates in India. Meanwhile, Gujarat, despite its long hours, doesn’t top the income charts.
Studies show that while a 1% increase in working hours results in a 1.7% rise in income, efficiency plays a much bigger role. Economist Dr. Arun Mehta explains, “Productivity is about output, not just effort. A well-rested worker with the right skills will outperform a tired worker clocking extra hours.” Basically, Goa might be onto something.
India Vs. The World
Indians work 2,123 hours per year, making us as hard-working as China, Malaysia, and the Philippines. But there’s a catch—our per capita GDP is significantly lower than these countries. Meanwhile, countries like Germany, France, and Switzerland work fewer hours yet earn much more.
Why? Because productivity isn’t just about hours worked, but how well those hours are used. The World Bank reports that India still lags in automation, skill development, and efficient work culture—factors that directly impact earnings.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
India’s work culture is a mixed bag—Gujarat swears by long hours, Delhi pushes through, and Goa proves that fewer hours don’t mean lower earnings. The global comparison also makes one thing clear: working smarter beats working harder.
So, should India hustle more or rethink its approach? Maybe it’s time we stop glorifying overwork and focus on efficiency. After all, wouldn’t you rather be sipping chai in Goa than stressing in a 70-hour workweek in Gujarat?
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Economic Times, Firstpost, Times of India
Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi
This post is tagged under: work culture in India, productivity vs hours, hustle culture, work life balance, Indian workforce, Gujarat work hours, Goa productivity, urban vs rural work, gender work divide, government vs private jobs, Indian economy, working hours comparison, mental health at work, workplace burnout, Narayana Murthy 70 hour workweek, global work culture, India vs the world, efficient work strategies, employee well being, smart work vs hard work, work smarter not harder
Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.
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