Holiday Statistics 2026
A data-driven look at public holidays across 199 countries.
Countries with the Most Public Holidays
These ten countries grant their citizens the highest number of official public holidays in 2026. A generous holiday calendar often reflects a country's cultural richness, religious diversity, or labor policies.
Vatican City 27 
Iran 25 
Montenegro 24 
China 23 
Puerto Rico 22 
Bosnia & Herzegovina 21 
Azerbaijan 19 
Colombia 19 
Albania 18 
Japan 18 Countries with the Fewest Public Holidays
On the other end of the spectrum, these countries have the fewest officially recognized public holidays. Fewer public holidays does not necessarily mean less time off, as some countries compensate with generous annual leave entitlements.
India 6 
Mexico 7 
Uruguay 7 
Vietnam 7 
El Salvador 8 
Mauritania 8 
Somalia 8 
United Kingdom 8 
Belarus 9 
Caribbean Netherlands 9 Average Holidays by Continent
Holiday counts vary across continents due to differences in culture, religion, and labor law. Asia and Africa tend to have more public holidays on average, while European and North American countries cluster around a moderate range.
Most Common Day of the Week
Holidays do not fall evenly across the week. Some countries have fixed-date holidays that rotate through days of the week each year, while others designate specific weekdays (like the first Monday of a month). In 2026, Friday is the day with the most public holidays globally.
Busiest Months for Holidays
Some months are packed with public holidays worldwide, while others are relatively quiet. May leads in 2026 with 460 holiday observances. The distribution often reflects seasonal festivals, religious calendars, and independence day celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has the most public holidays in 2026?
Vatican City tops the list with 27 public holidays in 2026. It is followed by Iran and Montenegro.
How many public holidays does the average country have?
The global average is approximately 12.8 public holidays per country. This figure accounts for all 199 countries in our database and only includes official public or national holidays.
Which month has the most holidays globally in 2026?
May has the most public holiday observances in 2026 with 460 across all countries. This is often driven by seasonal festivals and religious celebrations that cluster in certain times of the year.