The Most Common Holidays Worldwide

HOLIDAYS RECOGNIZE BATTLES, RELIGIONS, MILESTONES, AND MORE Workers in one country may have completely different languages, customs, and needs than workers in even a bordering country. The same holds true for national holidays, even when commemorations celebrate similar events. Mercer's 2013 Worldwide Benefit & Employment Guidelines covers a broad range of issues in mandatory and private benefit practices, statutory regulations, and employment conditions worldwide, including a review of the national holidays-often mandated-celebrated in 63 countries. MOST COMMON HOLIDAYS WORLDWIDE Some holidays are common worldwide, at least in name, but can be quite different in practice, statutory entitlement, and even dates. Consider New Year's, the world's most prevalent holiday. China recognizes both the Gregorian New Year (official business) and the Lunar New Year (civil). Russia, meanwhile, officially celebrates the New Year for an entire week, from January 1-8. FIVE MOST COMMON HOLIDAYS COUNTRIES CELELBRATING (OUT OF 63) NEW YEAR'S DAY 60 INDEPENDENCE DAY/NATIONAL CONSTITUTION DAY 59 CHRISTMAS 53 MAY DAY/LABOR DAY GOOD FRIDAY 32 Source: Mercer 2013 Worldwide Benefit & Employment Guidelines WAR AND PEACE In a majority of countries, the Mercer report finds, governments each set aside a national day of remembrance for a significant battle or other military event. Yet even more common, all but four of the 63 countries studied celebrate at least one religious holiday. NUMBER OF COUNTRIES CELEBRATING (OUT OF 63) RELIGION-BASED HOLIDAY 59 MILITARY-RELATED HOLIDAY 33 Source: Mercer 2013 Worldwide Benefit & Employment Guidelines POPULAR, BUT NOT OFFICIAL Some holidays are recognized the world over; however, they have not yet reached official holiday status outside of the following countries. And some countries celebrate holidays, such as Carnival, under different names. LUNAR (CHINESE) NEW YEAR CHINA HONG KONG INDONESIA MALAYSIA SINGAPORE SOUTH KOREA TAIWAN VIETNAM CARNIVAL ARGENTINA BOLIVIA BRAZIL VENEZUELA Source: Mercer 2013 Worldwide Benefit & Employment Guidelines ONE OF A KIND Many holidays are of very local significance and only celebrated in individual countries, Mercer's research finds. Following are examples of one-of-a-kind holidays from different regions of the world. SHIPWRECKS AND MORE DATE CELEBRATED COUNTRY HOLIDAY Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck celebrates when the patron saint of Malta was shipwrecked on the island nation. FEB 10 MALTA Tiradentes ("toothpuller") celebrates liberator/cattleman/dentist Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, who led Brazil's liberation movement from Portugal. APR 21 BRAZIL Coming of Age Day is held to congratulate and encourage all those who reached the age of majority (20 years old) in the previous year. Second Monday in JANUARY JAPAN Source: Mercer 2013 Worldwide Benefit & Employment Guidelines