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Countries With The Highest Number Of Public Holidays In The World

Published

3 years ago

December 13, 2022

Editor

With over 190 countries in the world, it is expected that there are differences and similarities in each nation’s affairs and one significant aspect of difference in the running of the nations of the world is the number of public holidays celebrated. While some countries enjoy a wide range of public holidays others do not.

Countries celebrate national holidays for different reasons including religious observances, national days, remembrance days or days to commemorate some other special historical event unique to a certain state, country, or region.

Discussed in this article are 10 countries with the highest number of public or national holidays in the world.

1. Myanmar

Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is a country in Southeast Asia. It is the largest country in Mainland Southeast Asia, and has a population of about 54 million as of 2017.

Myanmar has a total of 32 public holidays with some holidays lasting as long as 5 days to 8 days.

The country’s multicultural makeup helps it secure the top spot on this list.

There are numerous religious public holidays, such as the Start of Buddhist Lent (date varies), Christmas (25th December), Eid-ul-Adha (date varies) and Diwali (date varies), as well as historic days such as Independence Day (4th January) and Resistance Day (27th March).

2. Nepal

Nepal, an Asian country lies along the southern slopes of the Himalayan mountain ranges.

It is a landlocked country located between India to the east, south, and west and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north. Its territory extends roughly 500 miles (800 kilometres) from east to west and 90 to 150 miles from north to south. The capital is Kathmandu.

Nepal is the second on this list with a total number of 30 public holidays.

Along with an impressive number of public holidays, Nepal also has a standard six working days a week. Like Myanmar, Nepal’s diverse culture contributes to the country’s many different religious and non-religious public holidays.

3. Iran

Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran and also called Persia, is a country in Western Asia. It covers an area of 1,648,195 km2 (636,372 sq. mi), making it the fourth-largest country entirely in Asia and the second-largest country in Western Asia behind Saudi Arabia. Iran has a population of 85 million, making it the 17th-most populous country in the world, and the second-largest in the Middle East.

Iran has a complex public holiday system, with many ‘unofficial’ public holidays added each year leading to the annual total reaching beyond 26.

The vast majority of Iran’s public holidays are based on important days and events in the Islamic calendar; because Iran uses both the solar and lunar Hijri calendars, there are few set dates for their public holidays.

4. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, and southeast of the Arabian Sea; it is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait.

The total number of public holiday celebrated in Sri Lanka is 25 as the country celebrates a wide variety of religious holidays and many interconnecting holidays that are specific to the country.

5. Malaysia

The fifth on the list of countries with the highest number of the public holiday is Malaysia with a total number of 23-25 holidays in a year.

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country occupying parts of the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo. It’s known for its beaches, rainforests and mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European cultural influences.

Public holidays in Malaysia are largely secular and reflect the presence of a wide variety of religions and cultures present within the country.

6. Bangladesh

Bangladesh, officially the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia.

It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of 148,460 square kilometres (57,320 sq. mi). Bangladesh is among the most densely populated countries in the world and shares land borders with India to the west, north, and east, and Myanmar to the southeast; to the south, it has a coastline along the Bay of Bengal.

Bangladesh has up to 22 public holidays and these public holidays are observed for various religious festivals; four for Islamic holidays, two for Hindu holidays, and one each for Buddhist and Christian holidays. In addition to this, there are various national holidays, including Language Martyr’s Day (21st February) and National Mourning Day on 15th August.

7. Egypt

Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and the southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula.

In Egypt, there are 22public holidays but it is important to know that public holidays in Egypt are quite complex.

The public holiday calendar is a mix of religious and non-secular days and is observed according to both the fixed Gregorian calendar and the varying dates of the Islamic lunar calendar.

One recent addition to Egypt’s public holiday roster is Revolution Day (25th January) which was introduced after the public uprisings of 2011.

8. Cambodia

Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation whose landscape spans low-lying plains, the Mekong Delta, mountains and Gulf of Thailand coastline. Phnom Penh, its capital, is home to the art deco Central Market, the glittering Royal Palace and the National Museum’s historical and archaeological exhibits.

Cambodia has a total number of 21 public holidays.

The vast majority of Cambodia’s public holiday calendar is connected to Buddhist observances, usually in line with the Khmer lunar calendar (but the solar year is used too). This means that the dates of many Cambodian national holidays vary each year.

9. India

India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world.

The sheer size of India and its extensive history has led to a vast array of public holidays being observed. 21 public holidays are celebrated in India.

Many public holidays are based on various religious festivals (including Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism and Christianity).

Despite the prevalence of public holidays in this regard, there are only three national holidays: Republic Day on 26th of January, Independence Day on 15th of August, and Gandhi Jayanti (Gandhi’s birthday) on 2nd of October.

10. Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a German-speaking, 25km-long principality between Austria and Switzerland. It’s known for its medieval castles, alpine landscapes and villages linked by a network of trails. The capital, Vaduz, a cultural and financial centre, is home to Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, with galleries of modern and contemporary art.

This European country has a lot of public holidays between the range of 20-22. Many of Liechtenstein’s public holidays are based around Christian celebrations such as Easter and Christmas. There are some lesser-known public holidays such as Whit Monday (June) and Mary’s Birth (September).

There are also two public holidays which are marked as such on calendars but are not legally recognised. They are Shrove Tuesday (sometimes referred to as “Pancake Day”) and Saint Berchtold’s Day, on 2nd January.
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News

Foundation Engages Traditional Leaders To Curb GBV In Bauchi

Published

15 minutes ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Iqra Foundation for Women and Youth Development (IKFWYD) has engaged traditional leaders across three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Bauchi State to promote male involvement in efforts to curb Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The intervention is being implemented in Bauchi, Ningi, and Toro Local Government Areas.

Speaking during an advocacy visit, Mr. Ismail Umar, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the foundation, said the role of traditional institutions in influencing positive behavioural change could not be overstated.

“The programme is designed to engage men on issues related to protecting the rights of women and girls.

“Family wellbeing and social harmony cannot be achieved without the meaningful involvement of men.”

Umar noted that challenges such as gender-based misunderstandings, domestic tensions, poor communication between spouses, and limited awareness of shared responsibilities often contribute to family instability.

“By focusing on men as partners in promoting peace and wellbeing, this programme aims to reinforce their positive influence within families and communities.

“We are piloting the initiative in Bauchi, Ningi, and Toro LGAs, and are engaging respected community members to support and guide male involvement in promoting peace, family wellbeing, and the dignity of women.”

He further explained that the initiative would foster unity and cooperation between men and women as partners in building stable and peaceful homes.

Also speaking, Mr. Bamidele Jacobs, Director of Legal at Lawyers Alert, an implementing partner of the project, said the engagement of men was crucial to ensuring sustained support and protection for women in the state.

In their separate remarks, traditional rulers expressed their support and commitments to the programme.

Alhaji Yusuf Danyaya, the District Head of Ningi, pledged to mobilise men for the initiative, noting that “a violence-free home leads to a peaceful society.”

Similarly, Alhaji Hussaini Uthman, District Head of Miri in Bauchi metropolis, said the mission of the programme aligns with the traditional role of community leaders in fostering reconciliation between couples.

On his part, Alhaji Umar Adamu, the District Head of Toro, said addressing GBV is a collective responsibility to ensure that communities remain safe and peaceful.

News

Okpebholo Believes In Courage, Capacity Says Edo Poly Rector

Published

4 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The acting rector of Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, Dr Nosakhare Arodoye has promised to implement to the fullest the SHINE agenda of the state government.

Dr Arodoye said he was appointed by the governor to change the narrative of the Polytechnic from the present state to global standard with market-ready graduates and wealth creators within and outside Nigeria.

He spoke during the handover ceremony of the leadership in the state tertiary institution.

According to him, “the governor sent me here for development that will position this institution in a manner that will be productively and evidently attractive to all for visible intellectual results and deliveries.

“I’m for greater impact, lesser noise, the governor as a game changer understands this hence he approved my appointment as a tool for change in Edo Poly. Governor Okpebholo believes in courage and capacity.

“The governor is not a cut to size, he knows how the academic environment works. You can see that his team is made up of global scholars and that is where I belong.

“I’m here to work, I’m going to teach, courses must be allocated to me. I go for what people run from as a progressive, just like the governor, you can see the turnaround of things affecting every area positively.”

Earlier, the immediate past acting rector, Engr. Sylvester Omoruyi briefed the new rector on the present state of the institution particularly the continuous support from the state government.

He said Sen Monday Okpebholo has cleared the backlog of salaries as staff now receive their salary as at when due.

He noted that a total of twenty-two programmes have successfully been accredited with NYSC calling for various HND awarding departments.

On partnership, he said the polytechnic is currently in collaboration with Xianzi and Fuzhou Polytechnic in China where seven students are currently undergoing studies on student exchange programmes.

Before arriving at the polytechnic premises, Dr Arodoye had visited the palace of the Elawure of Usen, Oba Oluogbe III.

News

JUST IN: Senate Confirms Amupitan As INEC Chairman

Published

6 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Red Chamber confirmed Amupitan after a voice vote conducted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and after undergoing screening and answering questions posed by the lawmakers.

Amupitan had earlier arrived at the National Assembly complex earlier, exchanged pleasantries with Senators.

He was accompanied to the chamber by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, and other dignitaries.

At about 12:50 p.m., the nominee was ushered into the Senate chamber by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado, and was already seated ahead of the commencement of the exercise.

Amupitan was allowed into the hallowed chamber after the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved that Order 12 be set aside to allow visitors into the chamber, and he was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed Amupitan, his family members, and well-wishers to the Red Chamber, commending them for their presence.

Before introducing himself to the Senators for the question and answer session to take off, Akpabio disclosed to his colleagues that the nominee had been cleared by the office of the National Security Adviser after vetting.

According to Akpabio, the office of the Department of State Services had also cleared him.

The Senate President also said that the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, having done a fingerprint search on him, cleared him and said that he had no criminal records with the police.

The screening exercise commenced at about 12:55 p.m. following Akpabio’s opening remarks, during which he outlined the procedures to be followed by the lawmakers in considering the nominee’s credentials.

The screening session focused on Amupitan’s vision for credible elections, his plans for institutional reforms within INEC, and measures to deepen the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Following his confirmation by the Senate, Amupitan will oversee preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and lay the groundwork for the 2027 general elections.

President Bola Tinubu had nominated Amupitan, a Professor of Law from the University of Jos, to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The President’s letter conveying Amupitan’s nomination was read on the floor of the Senate by Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, Amupitan, is widely regarded for his expertise in constitutional and international law.