Public Holidays by Country YEAR — Complete World Guide

Q: Are public holidays paid in all countries?

In most countries, employees are entitled to paid time off on public holidays. However, the specific rules vary widely. Some countries require full-day paid holidays; others allow employers to grant a substitute day off. Part-time workers, freelancers, and contractors may have different entitlements. Always check your country's labor law for exact rules.

Q: What is the difference between public holidays and bank holidays?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but 'bank holiday' is a term most commonly used in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It refers to days when banks are legally required to close, which in practice became days when most businesses close and employees receive a day off. 'Public holiday' is the more internationally recognized term for the same concept — an officially designated day of rest or celebration.

Europe

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Africa & Middle East

Understanding Public Holidays Around the World

Public holidays — also called national holidays, bank holidays, statutory holidays, or federal holidays depending on the country — are officially designated days on which most employees are legally entitled to a day off from work. They are established by national or regional legislation and typically commemorate significant historical, cultural, or religious events.

The number and type of public holidays varies enormously from one country to another. Some countries designate only a handful of public holidays per year (Germany and Switzerland typically observe 9–13, depending on the state), while others celebrate 20 or more (India observes 21 national holidays, with additional state-level holidays on top). The nature of the holidays also differs: some countries emphasize religious feast days, others focus on national and independence commemorations, and many include a mix of both.

In federal countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, some public holidays are national while others are determined at the state or territory level. This means that two people in the same country may observe different public holidays depending on where they live. HolidaySync uses the Nager.at public holiday API, which provides both national and regional holiday data for supported countries, giving you the most complete picture possible.

Public holidays also interact with religious calendars in complex ways. In predominantly Christian countries, Christmas and Easter are typically public holidays. In Muslim-majority countries, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are observed. India, with its extraordinary religious diversity, observes Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain festivals as official holidays. Understanding these differences is essential for anyone planning international travel, global business operations, or cross-border scheduling.

Countries with the Most Public Holidays

1

🇰🇭 Cambodia ~28 public holidays per year — the most of any country in the world, including royal family birthdays, Buddhist festivals, and national commemorations.

2

🇮🇳 India ~21 national public holidays reflecting the country's extraordinary religious and cultural diversity, plus additional state-level holidays.

3

🇨🇴 Colombia ~18 public holidays including many Catholic feast days and national commemorations, making it one of the most holiday-rich countries in Latin America.

4

🇵🇭 Philippines ~18 public holidays including both national and special non-working holidays, reflecting the country's Catholic heritage and diverse regional culture.

5

🇯🇵 Japan ~16 public holidays including unique Japanese observances such as Coming-of-Age Day, Respect for the Aged Day, and Marine Day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has the most public holidays?

Cambodia leads the world with approximately 28 official public holidays per year. Other countries with very high numbers include India (21 national holidays), Colombia (18), the Philippines (18), and Japan (16). Countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia tend to have more public holidays due to the diversity of religious traditions that are officially observed at the national level.

Are public holidays paid in all countries?

In most countries, full-time employees are entitled to paid time off on public holidays. However, the specific rules vary widely by country and employment type. Part-time workers, freelancers, and contractors may have different entitlements or receive premium pay instead of a day off. Some employers offer substitute (lieu) days when a holiday falls on a weekend. Always check your country's labor law and your individual employment contract for exact rules.

What is the difference between public holidays and bank holidays?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but "bank holiday" is most commonly used in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it historically referred to days when banks were legally required to close. In practice, bank holidays are the same as public holidays in those countries — officially designated days when most people have the day off work. "Public holiday" is the internationally recognized term used by most other countries to describe the same concept.