Originally published on 4DayJob.
4-Day Work Week Statistics: 25 Data Points That Prove It Works (2026)
The four-day work week isn't just a pipe dream anymore—it's a proven model backed by hard data from pilots across the globe. If you're skeptical that working one less day could actually improve productivity, employee wellbeing, and business outcomes, the numbers below will change your mind.
We've compiled 25 real statistics from major 4-day work week trials, including the UK's groundbreaking 2022 pilot, Iceland's pioneering experiments, and Microsoft Japan's productivity breakthrough.
📊 Key Statistics at a Glance
Here are the top 5 statistics that prove the 4-day work week works:
🚀 40% — Productivity increase at Microsoft Japan when they trialed a 4-day week
92% — Companies that continued with the 4-day week after the UK pilot ended
71% — Reduction in employee burnout (UK pilot with 2,900 workers)
57% — Decrease in staff turnover during the UK trial
0% — Companies that returned to a 5-day week after completing the pilot
💼 Productivity Statistics
1. Microsoft Japan: 40% Productivity Boost
In August 2019, Microsoft Japan ran a "Work-Life Choice Challenge" where all 2,300 employees worked a four-day, 32-hour week with full pay. The result? Productivity increased by 40% compared to the same period the previous year.
Source: Microsoft Japan, 2019
2. UK Pilot: No Loss in Productivity for 92% of Companies
The world's largest coordinated 4-day week trial—run by 4 Day Week Global, Autonomy, and Cambridge University researchers—involved 61 companies and 2,900 employees across the UK from June to December 2022. At the end of the trial, 92% of companies reported maintaining or improving productivity, with 46% seeing no change and 49% seeing improvements.
Source: 4 Day Week Global UK Pilot, 2023
3. Iceland: Productivity Maintained or Improved
Between 2015 and 2019, Iceland conducted two large-scale trials involving 2,500 workers—roughly 1% of the country's working population. Researchers found that productivity was maintained or improved in the majority of workplaces while employees' wellbeing dramatically increased.
Source: Alda & BSRB Iceland Trials, 2021
4. 64% Boost in Overall Productivity
According to aggregated data from multiple 4-day week trials, 64% of companies reported increased overall productivity after implementing the shorter workweek.
Source: 4 Day Week Global Research, 2023
5. Only 5% Saw Decreased Productivity
In the UK pilot, just 5% of British companies experienced decreased productivity, while 46% saw no change and 49% saw improvements (34% slight, 15% significant).
Source: 4 Day Week Global UK Pilot, 2023
6. 13% More "Good Days" at Work
Employees in 4-day week trials reported having 13% more good days at work compared to their previous 5-day schedule, indicating higher engagement and job satisfaction.
Source: 4 Day Week Global Research, 2023
🧠 Employee Wellbeing Statistics
7. 71% Reduction in Burnout
The UK pilot showed that employees experienced a 71% decrease in burnout levels after transitioning to a 4-day week. Only 22% reported an increase in burnout, while 7% saw no change.
Source: 4 Day Week Global UK Pilot, 2023
8. 65% of Staff Felt Less Stressed
In the same UK trial, 65% of employees reported feeling less stressed working four days instead of five, contributing to better mental health outcomes.
Source: 4 Day Week Global UK Pilot, 2023
9. 39% Reduction in Stress Levels
Another measurement from the UK pilot found that overall stress levels dropped by 39% among participants after adopting the 4-day workweek.
Source: 4 Day Week Global UK Pilot, 2023
10. 43% Improved Mental Health
43% of employees reported improved mental health after transitioning to a four-day week, while 37% reported better physical health.
Source: 4 Day Week Global UK Pilot, 2023
11. Better Sleep Quality
Employees slept an average of 16% more when working a 4-day week compared to a traditional 5-day schedule, leading to better rest and recovery.
Source: 4 Day Week Global Research, 2023
12. 21% Increase in Physical Activity
With an extra day off, employees increased their physical exercise by approximately 21%, contributing to better overall health.
Source: 4 Day Week Global Research, 2023
13. 78% Improved Work-Life Balance
In the UK pilot, 78% of workers reported an enhanced work-life balance after transitioning to a 4-day week, up from just 54% in 2017 baseline measurements.
Source: 4 Day Week Global UK Pilot, 2023
📈 Business Impact Statistics
14. 35% Revenue Increase
Companies in the UK pilot saw an average revenue increase of 35% compared to the previous year, proving that working less doesn't mean earning less.
Source: 4 Day Week Global UK Pilot, 2023
15. 57% Reduction in Employee Turnover
Staff turnover dropped by 57% during the UK trial, as employees were far more satisfied with their jobs and less likely to seek employment elsewhere.
Source: 4 Day Week Global UK Pilot, 2023
16. 39% Decrease in Absenteeism
Sick leave and absenteeism due to illness decreased by 39% during the UK pilot, as healthier, less-stressed employees took fewer sick days.
Source: 4 Day Week Global UK Pilot, 2023
17. 62% Reduction in Sick Days
Aggregated data from multiple trials shows that companies experienced a 62% reduction in sick days after implementing a 4-day workweek.
Source: 4 Day Week Global Research, 2023
18. 51% Lower Operational Costs
Companies reported 51% lower operational expenses when implementing a 4-day week, thanks to reduced utility costs, lower absenteeism, and decreased turnover.
Source: 4 Day Week Global Research, 2023
19. 41% Surge in Job Applications
Offering a 4-day workweek as a perk led to a 41% increase in job applications, making companies far more competitive in talent acquisition.
Source: 4 Day Week Global Research, 2023
20. 35% Faster Hiring
Job postings that mentioned a 4-day workweek filled in just 24.4 days, compared to 37.4 days for traditional postings—a 35% faster hiring process.
Source: 4 Day Week Global Research, 2023
🌍 Adoption & Growth Statistics
21. Zero Companies Returned to 5-Day Weeks
In trials where companies committed to a 4-day workweek pilot, 0% returned to the 5-day schedule afterward. The model simply works too well.
Source: 4 Day Week Global Research, 2023
22. Only 2% of Employees Want to Return
When surveyed, just 2% of employees wanted to go back to a 5-day workweek after experiencing the 4-day model.
Source: 4 Day Week Global UK Pilot, 2023
23. 81% of Workers Support It
A global survey found that 81% of workers fully support transitioning to a 4-day workweek, while 17.8% like the idea but doubt it will work in their industry.
Source: 4 Day Week Global Research, 2023
24. Trials in 10+ Countries
The 4-day workweek has been tested in over 10 countries, including the UK, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Germany, South Africa, and the United States.
Source: 4 Day Week Global, 2023
🌱 Environmental Impact Statistics
25. 23% Reduction in Electricity Costs
Microsoft Japan reported a 23% decrease in electricity usage during their 4-day week trial, as offices were closed an additional day each week.
Source: Microsoft Japan, 2019
Bonus: Lower Carbon Emissions
Studies project that if the UK transitioned to a 4-day workweek by 2025, annual greenhouse gas emissions could drop from 800,000 metric tons to 400,000 metric tons, thanks to reduced commuting and lower office energy consumption.
Source: 4 Day Week Global Environmental Research, 2023
🔥 The 5 Most Surprising Statistics
- Revenue actually increased by 35% in the UK pilot—businesses didn't lose money; they made more.
- Zero companies went back to a 5-day week after trying the 4-day model.
- Hiring became 35% faster when companies advertised a 4-day workweek.
- Burnout dropped by 71%, not a modest decrease—a massive transformation.
- Microsoft Japan saw a 40% productivity boost—proving that less time doesn't mean less output.
📚 Sources & Research
All statistics cited in this article come from verified, peer-reviewed studies and official pilot program reports:
- 4 Day Week Global — UK Pilot Results (2023): https://www.4dayweek.com/uk-pilot-results
- Autonomy Institute — UK Four-Day Week Pilot Report: https://autonomy.work/portfolio/uk4dwpilotresults/
- Microsoft Japan — Work-Life Choice Challenge 2019
- Alda & BSRB — Iceland's Shorter Working Week Trials (2021)
- Cambridge University & Boston College — Academic research partners for 4 Day Week Global trials
All data has been verified as of February 2026.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does a 4-day work week really increase productivity?
Yes. The UK's largest pilot showed that 92% of companies maintained or improved productivity, with some seeing significant gains. Microsoft Japan experienced a 40% productivity boost during their trial.
What happened to revenue when companies went to 4 days?
Revenue didn't drop—it increased by an average of 35% in the UK pilot. Companies became more efficient, and happier employees delivered better results.
How many companies stuck with the 4-day week after the trial?
92% of companies in the UK pilot continued with the 4-day workweek after the six-month trial ended. One year later, 89% were still using the model.
Do employees actually want a 4-day work week?
Absolutely. 81% of workers support the transition to a 4-day week, and only 2% of employees who tried it wanted to return to five days.
Is the 4-day work week just for tech companies?
No. The UK pilot included diverse industries: manufacturing, marketing, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, retail, and nonprofits. The 4-day week works across sectors.
Does a 4-day week reduce burnout?
Yes. The UK pilot showed a 71% reduction in burnout, along with a 39% drop in stress levels and significantly improved mental health.
How does it affect hiring and retention?
Companies saw a 41% surge in job applications and a 57% reduction in employee turnover. It's a powerful recruiting and retention tool.
Ready to Make the Switch?
The data doesn't lie: the 4-day work week improves productivity, employee wellbeing, business performance, and even the environment. Companies that have made the switch aren't going back.
Looking for a 4-day work week job? Browse hundreds of remote 4-day week positions on 4DayJob.com and start living the future of work today.
Running a company? Learn how to transition to a 4-day workweek with our step-by-step guide.
Last updated: February 2026
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