How does the United States compare when it comes to taking vacation time? As Americans spend more than $1 billion on vacations and travel becomes increasingly common, fewer people fully disconnect while they are away.
An Ipsos Global poll examined vacation habits across 25 countries and found that six in 10 respondents report spending or intending to spend at least one full week away from work. The countries with the highest proportions of people taking vacations are India (80 percent), Great Britain (72 percent) and China (70 percent). Only three countries — Hungary, South Korea and Japan — had majorities saying they would not take time away from work and home life. In the United States, 61 percent of respondents said they would likely spend a week or more on vacation.
Across all countries surveyed, 65 percent of travelers say they use all vacation time allotted to them. That figure has declined over the past decade in several countries, including China, Japan, Italy and Australia. Although more people are taking time away from home, many do not fully unplug: fewer than half of respondents overall reported that they avoid checking work emails while on vacation. Americans are somewhat more likely to disconnect, with 52 percent saying they do not check work emails while away.
Since 2009, the share of people checking work messages while on vacation has risen in nearly all countries surveyed. Vacationers in Italy, Japan, Spain and Belgium struggle most to disconnect, whereas travelers in Mexico and Brazil are more likely to put away their phones and laptops and refrain from work communications.
Overall, a strong majority of Americans have taken or plan to take time off this year — and many hope to use that break to step away from work and technology for a true rest.