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Workers prepare packaged food at a fish market in Tokyo, Japan. The average Japanese employee works 1,719 hours per year.

COUNTRIES WHERE PEOPLE WORK THE MOST HOURS

The average employee in the United States works 1,779 hours a year, according to a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. That seems like a lot, but workers in Mexico toil an additional 467 hours a year (more than 10 weeks). Regardless of their country of origin, workers just out of high school or college should realize that they will spend a lot of time on the job. Gone are the days of a few classes a week, study time, and lots of opportunities for fun with friends. Here are the countries where people work the most hours each year:

1. Mexico: 2,246 2. South Korea: 2,113 3. Greece: 2,042

8. Italy: 1,725 9. Japan: 1,719 10. Canada: 1,691 11. Spain: 1,676 12. United Kingdom: 1,674 13. Australia: 1,665 14. France: 1,482 15. Germany: 1,371

4. Chile: 1,988 5. Russia: 1,978 6. Turkey: 1,832 7.

United States: 1,779

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CAREERS WITH EARNING POTENTIAL: BECOME INVALUABLE