Public holidays are an integral part of the cultural and social fabric of many countries around the world, and they make life more enjoyable.
Who wouldn’t want to sleep late and enjoy a day off from work or school? A public holiday is a day that allows you this freedom. It’s a day of rest and celebration where most people are not required to work. Generally, a public holiday is established by law.
Most public holidays are days of celebration or commemoration—a religious festival like Christmas or Diwali, or the anniversary of a historically important event like the gaining of independence. Public holidays vary from country to country. For example, most European countries only have Christian holidays, while more multicultural countries like India and Malaysia celebrate festivals from many religions, resulting in more public holidays. Some popular holidays like New Year and Christmas are celebrated globally, while others are unique to a country’s history or culture. Most countries also celebrate a National Day or Independence Day (such as the 4th of July in the United States or Australia Day in Australia).
Holidays can fall on a specific calendar date (like December 25), on a moveable day or particular day of the week, or follow another system such as the Lunar Calendar. Because some dates shift each year, calendars are determined annually by governing bodies before printing.
Some occasions span multiple consecutive days. For instance, employees in China receive three legal holidays for Chinese New Year, Sri Lankans get two consecutive public holidays for their traditional new year in April, and several Buddhist countries observe two days for Vesak celebrations.
While holidays provide a necessary break to spend time with family and support mental well-being, excessive holidays can negatively affect national productivity and hold up banking and financial transactions. As a result, governments must balance holiday allowances carefully.
Labor regulations around holiday pay also vary widely. Some countries legally require all public holidays to be paid, while in others it depends on the employer. Many nations distinguish between general public holidays, bank holidays, and mercantile holidays, meaning not all workers automatically get time off.
While countries with the fewest public holidays include Mexico, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, the following list highlights the countries with the highest number of public holidays worldwide.
1. Myanmar: 32 public holidays
Myanmar tops the list with 32 public holidays each year. Although primarily a Buddhist nation, it recognizes holidays across multiple cultures and religions. Several celebrations last multiple days: the Myanmar New Year in April includes an 8-day holiday, while Thadingyut (marking the end of Buddhist Lent) spans 5 days. Myanmar also observes Eid-ul-Adha, Christmas, and Diwali, alongside national observances like Independence Day (January 4) and Resistance Day (March 27).
2. Nepal: 30 public holidays
Due to its diverse cultural makeup, Nepal observes 30 public holidays, including Maha Shivaratri, Prithvi Jayanti, Majdur Diwas, Bakr-Id, and Buddha Jayanti. Some holidays are regional or group-specific, such as Gai Jatra and Indra Jatra (celebrated in Kathmandu Valley) and Nari Diwas (celebrating women). The longest celebration, Vijaya Dashami, lasts over five days. Nepal operates on a six-day workweek with Saturday as the standard rest day, and employees receive 13 statutory paid holidays annually.
3. Iran: 26 public holidays
Iran observes over 26 public holidays, largely structured around significant Islamic events using both solar and lunar Hijri calendars. Because lunar dates shift and various unofficial holidays are regularly added, the total often exceeds 26 days.
4. Sri Lanka: 25 public holidays
Sri Lanka features 25 public holidays reflecting its multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. As a predominantly Buddhist nation, every full moon day ("Poya day") is observed as a public holiday. Major Hindu, Muslim, and Christian festivals are also observed. The primary non-religious public holidays are Labor Day (May 1) and Independence Day (February 4).
5. Malaysia: 23 to 25 public holidays
Malaysia’s public holidays reflect its diverse population, blending national secular observances with cultural and religious celebrations. These include Chinese New Year, Vesak, Christmas Day, Ramadan, and Deepavali, alongside widespread secular commemorations such as Hari Kebangsaan (National Day).
6. Bangladesh: 22 public holidays
Bangladesh observes 22 public holidays covering major religious and historical events. These include four Islamic celebrations, two Hindu festivals, one Buddhist, and one Christian holiday. Key secular national observances include Language Martyr's Day (February 21) and National Mourning Day (August 15).
7. Egypt: 22 public holidays
Egypt observes 22 public holidays, combining secular events with Islamic and Christian observances. Lunar-based Islamic dates include Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, and the Prophet's Birthday. National observances include National Day / Revolution Day (July 23) and Revolution Day / Police Day (January 25).
8. Philippines: 22 public holidays
The Philippines observes 22 holidays, including Bonifacio Day, Eid'l Fitr, Rizal Day, and Independence Day (June 12). Under the Labor Code, holidays are categorized as "regular holidays" (where employees receive 100% pay if unworked, and double pay if worked) or "special non-working days" (where no pay is provided if unworked, with a 30% premium if worked).
9. Cambodia: 21 public holidays
Cambodia observes 21 public holidays, comprising historical memorials and Buddhist festivals. Major observances include Cambodian New Year (April 13–15), Visakh Bochea, Pchum Ben, the Queen Mother's Birthday (June 18), Constitution Day (September 24), Independence Day (November 9), and the National Day of Remembrance (May 20).
10. India: 21 public holidays
India features a wide range of public holidays determined at federal and state levels to accommodate regional, linguistic, and religious diversity. Major celebrations include Diwali, Holi, Maha Shivaratri, Eid, Buddha Jayanti, Christmas, and Easter. India observes three mandatory national holidays across all states: Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15), and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2).
11. Kazakhstan: 21 public holidays
Kazakhstan observes 21 public holidays annually. Prominent dates include Eastern Orthodox Christmas (January 7), International Women's Day (March 8), Kazakhstan People's Unity Day (May 1), Defender of the Fatherland Day (May 7), and Capital City Day (July 7).
12. Liechtenstein: 20 to 22 public holidays
Liechtenstein observes between 20 and 22 public holidays, significantly higher than most European nations. The majority are Christian observances such as Christmas, Easter, Mary's Birth, and Whit Monday, alongside culturally observed days like Saint Berchtold's Day and Shrove Tuesday.