Public holidays offer a fascinating window into the cultural and religious values of a nation. In 2026, several countries stand out for their high number of official days off. These holidays often reflect deep-seated traditions, lunar cycles, and historical milestones.
Myanmar currently holds the top position for the most national public holidays in 2026, says PEW Research Centre. The country, also known as Burma, officially recognizes thirty distinct holidays. Bangladesh follows very closely with twenty-nine scheduled days of rest. Sri Lanka also ranks high on the list with twenty-five official public holidays.
These three nations share a common trait: their holiday calendars are heavily influenced by religion. Myanmar and Sri Lanka are predominantly Buddhist countries. Consequently, many of their holidays align with lunar calendars rather than the Gregorian system.
The Influence of Religion on Holiday Schedules
In Myanmar, the holiday schedule features multiple days for the Lunar New Year. The Buddhist New Year, known locally as Thingyan, also grants citizens several days of leave. Furthermore, specific full moon days are observed to honor significant events in the life of Buddha.
Similarly, Sri Lanka observes every full moon day as a public holiday. These monthly celebrations are known as Poya days. Because these dates depend on the moon, they change every year on the standard calendar.
Bangladesh presents a unique model of religious diversity in its holiday planning. The population is mostly Muslim, but it includes significant Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian minorities.
Therefore, the government provides official holidays for major observances from all four faiths. This includes several days for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Additionally, the country recognizes Janmashtami for Hindus and Vesak for Buddhists. Christmas is also a public holiday for the Christian community.
Regional Trends and Political Holidays
Other nations also maintain high holiday counts for various cultural reasons. Cambodia, Iran, and Lebanon each have more than twenty public holidays. Nepal historically ranks among the countries with the most time off. However, its full calendar for the 2026 year is not yet publicly available.
Political events can also temporarily increase the number of holidays. In 2026, Bangladeshis will receive two extra public holidays for their national elections. These adjustments ensure that citizens have the time to participate in the democratic process.
The Minimalists: Countries with the Fewest Holidays
On the opposite end of the spectrum, some nations keep their federal holiday lists very short. Switzerland technically recognizes only one public holiday at the federal level. This holiday is Swiss National Day, which occurs every August 1.
The Swiss system is highly decentralized, consisting of twenty-six individual cantons. Each canton sets its own holiday schedule independently from the central government. Despite the low federal count, every canton recognizes at least eight holidays, including National Day.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Uruguay also have very few unified national holidays. Bosnia and Herzegovina reports only four unified holidays. This low number results from a decentralized political structure. Two self-governing entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska, manage their own calendars. These regions represent different religious demographics, including Muslim, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox populations.
Uruguay officially counts five public holidays. Interestingly, many widely celebrated occasions in Uruguay are considered “working holidays” by law. For instance, Carnival and Holy Week (Tourism Week) are celebrated but do not guarantee a day off. The birthday of national hero José Artigas is another example of a working holiday.
Universal Holidays Celebrated Worldwide
New Year’s Day remains the most common public holiday across the globe. At least 169 countries officially celebrate the arrival of the new year on January 1. Four other nations recognize a different holiday on that specific date.
However, not every nation utilizes the Gregorian January 1 start date. For example, Malaysia observes the Lunar New Year, which falls in February for 2026. Israel celebrates Rosh Hashanah in September. Egypt and Libya mark the Islamic New Year in June 2026.
International Labor Day, or May Day, is another widely recognized celebration. At least 144 countries observe this holiday on May 1. Meanwhile, thirteen other nations, including the United States and Canada, celebrate workers on different dates.
Finally, almost every UN member nation has an Independence Day or National Day. At least 187 countries observe these holidays to mark revolutionary victories or founding documents. Surprisingly, the United Kingdom and Denmark are among the few that do not have this type of holiday.
Honouring Women and Social Progress
Many nations use public holidays to celebrate social milestones. International Women’s Day on March 8 is a major global event . At least 23 countries recognize this date as an official public holiday. Furthermore, at least six other nations celebrate women on different dates.
For example, South Africa observes National Women’s Day on August 9. Tunisia marks its own women’s holiday on August 13 . These specific dates often reflect local historical achievements for women’s rights. However, these counts exclude places where only women receive the day off .
Commemorating Freedom and History
Historical milestones also shape national holiday calendars. Emancipation Day commemorates the abolition of slavery in 16 different countries. This holiday typically occurs on August 1. Recently, the United States added Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021.
Other common holidays celebrate specific political or ideological leaders. Many nations also honor their armed forces and service members. Additionally, some days serve as remembrance for victims of social persecution. These holidays ensure that important historical lessons remain in public memory.
Regional and Cultural Celebrations
Specific regions often share unique holiday traditions. For instance, Africa Day is widely celebrated across the continent. European nations often observe Midsummer or Victory in Europe Day. Carnival remains a vibrant public holiday in several regions.
Furthermore, Nowruz is a significant celebration in many Central Asian cultures. These regional events foster a sense of shared heritage and local pride. They often involve public festivals, parades, and traditional rituals.
The Global Reach of Religious Holidays
The vast majority of countries observe at least one religious holiday. Christians and Muslims represent the two largest religious groups worldwide. Therefore, their major festivals are well-represented on most national calendars.
Christmas Day is a public holiday in at least 154 countries. Most of these nations celebrate on December 25. However, nine countries solely recognize Orthodox Christmas in early January. A few nations, like Belarus and Sudan, observe both dates. At least 68 countries also observe a holiday on December 26. This is often called Boxing Day or St. Stephen’s Day.
Widespread Christian Observances
Other Christian holidays are also common globally. Good Friday is a public holiday in at least 98 countries. Easter Monday follows closely, with 87 countries granting a day off. These counts include various Orthodox observances as well.
Additionally, many nations observe Assumption Day and Ascension Day. Whit Monday is another frequent religious holiday on global calendars. These dates often shift based on the ecclesiastical calendar each year.
Islamic Festivals and Traditions
Islamic holidays are central to the calendars of many nations. Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday in at least 71 countries. This festival celebrates the end of the Ramadan fast. It is known as Korité in West Africa. In Southeast Asia, it is called Hari Raya Puasa.
Furthermore, at least 70 countries recognize Eid al-Adha as a public holiday . At least 66 nations celebrate both of these major Eids . Some countries offer a single day off for these events . Others provide multiple days for extended celebrations. Additionally, 44 countries observe Mawlid, the birth of Prophet Muhammad. In Fiji, Mawlid is the only Muslim holiday on the calendar.
Buddhist, Hindu, and Jewish Holidays
Buddhist and Hindu traditions also influence national schedules. Vesak is a common public holiday in countries with large Buddhist populations. Similarly, Diwali is widely observed in nations with significant Hindu communities.
Regarding Jewish observances, Israel is unique. It is the only nation marking Jewish holidays with national public days. These holidays follow the Hebrew calendar and vary annually.
Multifaith and Diverse Holiday Schedules
Many countries blend holidays from multiple major religions. At least 52 countries celebrate both Christmas and a major Eid . More than half of these diverse nations are located in Africa.
Some countries include holidays from three or four religions. Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Myanmar follow this inclusive model. Singapore and Sri Lanka also celebrate Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and Muslim holidays.
India’s 2026 schedule is particularly diverse. It includes holidays for Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. Furthermore, it recognizes significant days for Jainism and Sikhism. This reflects the deep religious pluralism within the Indian population.
Nations with the Most Time Off
Myanmar leads the world with 30 public holidays in 2026. Bangladesh follows closely with 29 official holidays. Sri Lanka rounds out the top three with 25 days.
Religious traditions and lunar calendars drive these high numbers. In Myanmar and Sri Lanka, full moon days are often public holidays. Bangladesh provides holidays for four major religions and national elections. Cambodia, Iran, and Lebanon also have more than 20 holidays.
The Minimalist Approach: Countries with Fewest Holidays
In contrast, Switzerland recognizes only one federal holiday. This is Swiss National Day on August 1. However, individual cantons set their own additional schedules. Each canton typically recognizes at least eight holidays annually.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has only four unified national holidays. Its decentralized political system leads to separate regional schedules. Uruguay recognizes five holidays but classifies many as working holidays. This means businesses may stay open during major celebrations like Carnival.
The Universal Calendar: January 1 and May 1
New Year’s Day is the most common holiday worldwide. At least 169 countries celebrate on January 1. However, some nations follow different cultural calendars for the new year. For example, Israel celebrates Rosh Hashanah later in the year.
International Labor Day on May 1 is also widespread. At least 144 countries recognize this day for workers. Other nations, like the U.S. and Canada, choose different dates. Finally, nearly 187 nations celebrate an Independence or National Day. Only a few, like the UK, do not have this holiday type.
Important Questions and Answers
Why does Myanmar have more holidays than most other countries?
Myanmar’s high count of thirty holidays stems from its reliance on the lunar calendar. It includes multiple days for the Buddhist New Year and various full moon celebrations.
How does Sri Lanka’s Poya day system work?
In Sri Lanka, every full moon day is legally a public holiday. These days are dedicated to religious observance and are central to the country’s Buddhist traditions.
What makes Bangladesh’s holiday calendar unique?
Bangladesh is notable because it recognizes holidays from four major religions. It ensures that Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians all have official days for their primary celebrations.
Why are there so few federal holidays in Switzerland?
The Swiss government only mandates one holiday at the federal level. The individual cantons hold the power to decide all other public holidays for their residents.
What is a “working holiday” in Uruguay?
In Uruguay, some major celebrations are classified as working holidays. This means people celebrate the event, but businesses and offices typically remain open by law.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Which country has the most public holidays in 2026?
A: Myanmar leads the world with thirty official national public holidays.
Q: Does every country celebrate New Year’s Day on January 1?
A: No, while 169 countries do, others like Israel and Egypt follow different religious or lunar calendars.
Q: Why does Bosnia and Herzegovina have so few national holidays?
A: The country’s decentralized system allows its two main entities to set separate schedules based on their demographics.
Q: Is the United Kingdom unusual for not having an Independence Day?
A: Yes, it is one of the few UN member nations that does not observe an independence or national day.
Q: How do national elections affect holiday counts?
A: Some countries, like Bangladesh, designate election days as public holidays to encourage voter turnout
