Public Holidays by Country
Updated November 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Compare public holiday counts across major economies — who gets the most paid festival days. Pick any two countries below for a side-by-side.
Quick answer: India (varies by state, ~15-21 incl. restricted picks) and parts of Asia lead; the US federal list is 11; UK England just 8. Pay-for-working rules differ as much as the counts.
Public Holidays by Country by Country
| Country | Days/year | Working-the-day rules |
|---|---|---|
| India | ~15-21 by state | 3 national + state lists + RH picks |
| Philippines | ~18 | 12 regular (200% worked) + special days |
| Japan | 16 | Mondayised; Golden Week clusters |
| South Korea | ~15 | Substitute-day system |
| Thailand | 16-19 | Business vs govt lists |
| UAE | ~13 | Islamic calendar shifts dates |
| United States | 11 federal | Private observance varies; no premium mandate |
| Canada | 5-10 by province | Stat pay formulas per province |
| Australia | 10-13 by state | Penalty rates for working |
| United Kingdom | 8 (England) | Scotland 9, NI 10; no auto premium |
| Germany | 9-13 by state | Bavaria leads |
| France | 11 | Only May 1 is compulsorily paid |
| Brazil | ~12 | Plus municipal days |
| Singapore | 11 | Worked = extra day’s pay or in-lieu |
Figures reflect statutory/standard positions at last update — collective agreements and employer policies often exceed them; verify official sources for decisions.
Reading the Table Right
- Counts hide pay rules: the PH’s 200% double-pay and Canada’s stat-pay formulas make holidays FINANCIAL events; UK/US leave premiums to contracts.
- Lunar/Islamic calendars shift dates annually (UAE, India, much of Asia) — plan payroll calendars fresh each year.
- Substitution systems (Japan, Korea, NZ Mondayisation, UK substitutes) move weekend holidays to Mondays — or lose them (US private sector, India).
Payroll Planning Angle
Holiday counts drive working-day totals, per-day salary math, and premium budgets. Multi-country teams: build the 2027 calendar per location now — lunar-calendar jurisdictions confirm dates late, so leave placeholders for Eid/Diwali windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has the most public holidays?
India by effective total (national + state + restricted picks can exceed 20); among fixed national lists, Japan’s 16 and Thailand’s ~16-19 lead.
Do US employees get paid premium on holidays?
No federal mandate — holiday premiums are policy/contract; federal employees and many employers observe the 11 federal days paid.
What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend?
Depends: UK substitutes a weekday, NZ Mondayises, Japan/Korea substitute — US private and India generally let it lapse.
Which days pay double?
Philippines regular holidays (200% worked), and several systems’ premium rules (Canada stat formulas + 1.5x, AU penalty rates) — see each country’s calculator.
Why do holiday counts vary within countries?
Federal structures: Indian states, German Länder, Canadian provinces, and Australian states each add their own lists to national cores.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: November 3, 2026