This table shows the approximate number of public holidays per year and the statutory minimum annual leave for 25 countries, side by side. The figures come from the statutory dataset behind our country guides. One thing to be clear about upfront: these are approximate counts, not calendars. Actual dates shift year to year, and several countries add regional or one-off holidays, so treat the counts as planning numbers, not payroll dates.
| Country | Public holidays (approx. per year) | Statutory annual leave (days) | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 18 | 15 | Colombia guide |
| Philippines | 18 | 5 | Philippines guide |
| Chile | 16 | 15 | Chile guide |
| Indonesia | 16 | 12 | Indonesia guide |
| Pakistan | 16 | 14 | Pakistan guide |
| Argentina | 15 | 14 | Argentina guide |
| Peru | 15 | 30 | Peru guide |
| India | 14 | 15 | India guide |
| Rwanda | 14 | 18 | Rwanda guide |
| United Arab Emirates | 14 | 30 | UAE guide |
| Ghana | 13 | 15 | Ghana guide |
| Nepal | 13 | 18 | Nepal guide |
| Uganda | 13 | 21 | Uganda guide |
| Brazil | 12 | 30 | Brazil guide |
| Italy | 12 | 20 | Italy guide |
| South Africa | 12 | 21 | South Africa guide |
| Nigeria | 11 | 6 | Nigeria guide |
| Singapore | 11 | 7 | Singapore guide |
| Germany | 10 | 20 | Germany guide |
| Kenya | 10 | 21 | Kenya guide |
| Canada | 9 | 10 | Canada guide |
| Switzerland | 9 | 20 | Switzerland guide |
| Netherlands | 8 | 20 | Netherlands guide |
| United Kingdom | 8 | 28 | UK guide |
| Mexico | 7 | 12 | Mexico guide |
What the numbers say
Public holidays and annual leave are two different budgets, and they don't correlate. The Philippines has one of the highest holiday counts at around 18, but only 5 statutory leave days. The UK is the mirror image: about 8 public holidays but 28 days of statutory leave. Add the two columns before you assume anything about total time off.
Latin America and South Asia lead on holidays. Colombia tops the table at around 18, helped by a law that moves many holidays to Mondays, and Chile, Pakistan, and Indonesia all sit around 16. If your team spans these countries, expect a few weeks a year where several offices are dark at once.
The most generous total packages are where leave is long. Brazil, Peru, and the UAE each mandate 30 days of annual leave on top of 12-15 public holidays, which lands total statutory time off above 40 days. At the other end, Mexico combines the fewest holidays on the list (about 7) with 12 leave days.
Low-leave countries are usually floor, not practice. Nigeria at 6 days, the Philippines at 5, and Singapore at 7 are statutory minimums; competitive employers in all three markets typically offer 15-20 days. The statutory number is what you owe, not what will win you the hire.
Figures come from our compliance dataset as of August 2026 and are approximate counts, not holiday calendars. Statutory rules change, regional holidays vary within countries, and leave often scales with tenure. The per-country guide has the details.
FAQ
Which country has the most public holidays? Of the 25 countries in our dataset, Colombia and the Philippines lead with approximately 18 public holidays per year each. Chile, Indonesia, and Pakistan follow at around 16. See the Colombia guide and Philippines guide.
Which country gives the most total statutory time off? Combining both columns, Brazil (30 leave days plus about 12 holidays), Peru (30 plus about 15), and the UAE (30 plus about 14) all exceed 40 statutory days off per year. The Brazil guide and UAE guide explain how the leave rules actually work.
Why are the holiday counts approximate? Because the real number moves. Governments declare one-off holidays, some dates depend on lunar calendars, and countries like Germany, Switzerland, and India vary significantly by state or region. Our dataset stores a typical national count for budgeting, and your local payroll calendar is the source of truth for actual dates.
Do public holidays apply to contractors? No. Contractors set their own schedule and are paid per the contract, not per a statutory holiday calendar. Employees are entitled to paid public holidays under local law. Each country guide covers what employees must receive and what is customary for contractors.