Overwork and Family Dynamics in East Asia: A Cross-Regional Analysis

Hejia Zheng, the Australian National University
Natalie Nitsche, Australian National University

This study examines the prevalence and patterns of overwork in China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan from 2006 to 2018, with a particular focus on family dynamics. Using data from the East Asian Social Survey, we investigate how the family-related factors, such as gender, relationship status, and parenthood, are associated with overwork status across these regions. Despite recent policy changes and social movements against excessive work hours, overwork remains a significant issue in East Asia, with potential implications for family formation, work-life balance, and public health. Our analysis reveals regional variations in overwork trends and their relationships with family factors. We find that single men are less likely to overwork than married men, while single women are more likely to overwork than married women. These gender and relationship status differences are much more pronounced in Japan and Korea than in China and Taiwan, revealing the role of gender norms in labour market. The study explores how parenthood and working hours are associated across the four regions. By integrating family perspectives into the analysis of overwork, this research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of long working time in East Asia and their potential impacts on demographic trends and social well-being.

Keywords: Human Capital, Education, and Work, Comparative methods , Data visualisation , Economic Demography

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