Iceland approved the 4-day workweek in 2019: nearly 6 years later, all the predictions made have come true.

In 2019, Iceland made headlines by becoming one of the first countries in the world to adopt the four-day working week, not through a general law, but through agreements allowing workers to negotiate shorter weeks or reduced hours. Five years on, the results are indisputable.

The Icelandic experiment began in 2015 with a pilot phase involving around 2,500 employees, or just over 1% of the country’s working population. Following the resounding success of this initiative, with 86% of the employees involved expressing their support, the project was made official in 2019 . Today, almost 90% of Icelandic workers benefit from a reduced working week of 36 hours, compared with 40 hours previously, with no loss of pay. Initial concerns about the four-day week were widespread, both in Iceland and elsewhere in the world. There were fears of a drop in productivity, increased costs for businesses and difficulties in adapting to maintain service levels. However, the Icelandic experience has swept these fears under the carpet.

Icelandic reports show that productivity has remained stable, and even increased in some sectors. One of the keys to this success lies in improving the mental health of workers, a crucial aspect highlighted by Generation Z. The reduction in stress, combined with a better work-life balance, has had a significant positive impact on employee well-being.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Icelandic experience is the promotion of greater gender equality. By encouraging men to become more involved in family life, the four-day week has contributed to a better sharing of domestic and parental responsibilities. Freed from traditional time constraints, men have been able to devote more time to their children and play an active role in household chores. Unlike some countries, such as Belgium, where the four-day week means that hours not worked are compensated for by longer working days, Iceland is keeping salaries and working conditions unchanged despite the reduction in working hours. This approach has been made possible in part by a proactive policy of digitalising businesses and public services.

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