Why Do Americans Struggle with Taking Vacations?

When it comes to vacation time, U.S. employees don’t measure up well against their global peers, even though they seem aware of the benefits and desire to take more time off.

Multiple recent studies show that U.S. workers are allotted relatively few vacation days compared to other nations (ranking near the bottom) and often leave a significant portion unused. This serves as a timely reminder, especially on January 30—National Plan for Vacation Day—about the essential need and value of planning to take breaks.

A Pew Research Center survey from last year indicated that nearly half of the 5,902 U.S. workers surveyed in February 2023 with paid time off take less time off than what they’re entitled to. Why is this the case? About half of those not using all their PTO cited reasons such as not feeling the need for more time off (52 percent) or worrying about falling behind at work (49 percent). Others (43 percent) felt guilty that their colleagues would have to cover for them, while 19 percent believed excessive time off could hinder their career advancement; 16 percent feared job loss from taking more time off, and 12 percent mentioned their managers discouraging them from leaving.

However, the Pew study found that U.S. employees do value paid time off. Approximately 62 percent of respondents stated that having a job with paid vacation or sick days is extremely important, surpassing the percentage who prioritized employer-paid health insurance (51 percent), retirement benefits (44 percent), or paid parental and family leave (43 percent).

Adding to our PTO dilemma: we have limited vacation time. A report by career resource site Resume.io from August 2022 shows that the United States ranks as the second-worst country for paid vacation days, with only 10 statutory days, while Iran boasts a remarkable 53. Micronesia sits at the bottom with just 9 statutory paid vacation days. European countries enjoy between 26 and 46 days, while Australia and New Zealand have 27 and 31 days, respectively, and Canada offers 19. The Resume.io study defines vacation days as the total of paid leave days and paid public holidays. The U.S. recognizes 11 federally mandated public holidays, not counting the quadrennial Inauguration Day, which isn't required for private companies to offer paid leave during—except in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where it's law.

The latest Vacation Deprivation study from travel booking site Expedia, released in April 2023, revealed that U.S. workers took the fewest vacation days in 2022 among the countries surveyed, alongside Mexico and Singapore.

Conducted between February and March last year by Northstar Research Partners, the Expedia survey asked 14,527 employed adults from 11 countries about their work-life balance. Participants from the U.S., Mexico, and Singapore reported the lowest vacation usage, averaging 11, 12.5, and 14.5 days off in the past year, respectively. In contrast, the countries with the highest average vacation days included Japan (26 days), Hong Kong (25.5 days), Germany (24.5 days), France (23 days), and the United Kingdom (22 days).

In 2023, 62 percent of workers worldwide reported feeling vacation deprived, an increase from 58 percent in 2022 and 2021.

What factors contribute to this issue? Age seems to play a role—73 percent of Gen Z workers reported feeling vacation deprived, compared to 66 percent of Millennials, 58 percent of Gen Xers, and 43 percent of Boomers. The economy isn't helping either; over half (56 percent) of global respondents noted staffing shortages at their workplace as a barrier to taking more time off, according to the Expedia report.

The encouraging news is that perspectives on vacation time in the United States seem to be improving. Ninety percent of Americans believe regular vacations should be considered a fundamental right, and 81 percent of U.S. workers favor a four-day work week, partly to allow for more travel opportunities.

On a global scale, workers are clearly recognizing the restorative power of taking breaks. Eighty-five percent of workers around the world reported that vacations enhance their positivity and optimism, while 87 percent believe that regular time off is crucial for overall health and well-being.

Employers should pay attention—those surveyed in the Expedia-supported study indicated that after taking a vacation, they generally had a more positive mindset and increased motivation, with 81 percent reporting heightened drive post-vacation. Clearly, taking breaks is beneficial not just for personal well-being, but also for business performance. That’s the conclusion we draw, and we’re sticking to it.

This article was first published in October 2018 and has been updated with the latest information.