Germans have more free time than most of the world

At an average of six hours and 34 minutes of free time per day, Germans came only second to Belgians in an international study on leisure released this week.

• GM threatens major job cuts at Opel (8 Feb 12)
• German papers win paparazzi case in Europe (8 Feb 12)
• Rapper on dole faces benefit cut for lyrics (7 Feb 12)

Belgians had five minutes more free time than Germans in the survey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which reviewed 18 countries across the world. The national average clocked in at five hours and 47 minutes of daily free time, researchers said in Paris on Monday.

The study defines leisure time as "residual time not spent in paid work." Residents aged 15 and older in countries with the least free time included those in Mexico, Japan, Australia and Turkey.

But while many people in the world use an average of 36 percent of their free time watching television or listening to the radio, Germans spend only 28 percent of their leisure time relaxing this way.

The OECD claims the study, called "Society at a Glance 2009," is the first of its kind and is based on each country’s own data taken during various years since 1998.