42% of Americans Took Zero Vacation Days Last Year

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Unlike the rest of the developed world, America has a crap track record with time off. In fact, 169 million vacation days went to waste in 2013, and 41% of American employees said they didn’t plan on taking any vacation at all.

Well, it turns out they undershot it, as 42% of US workers took zero vacation days in 2014, according to a recent report by Skift. The trends site surveyed 1,500 workers about their vacation habits, and aside from the workaholic revelation, the report yielded other interesting findings.

Employees in the suburbs took more vacation time than people in the rural or urban areas -- probably because they wanted to get the hell out of the suburbs. And in keeping with the laid-back, West Coast stereotype, people out West took the most vacation days. Surprisingly, people in the South took the least time off. Maybe it has something to do with warmer weather and better barbecue.

The survey also found women were more overworked than men, with just 11.3% saying they took 10-20 days off, while 17.9% of men took 10-20 days. Sorry, ladies.

On a more positive note, at least 15% of respondents said they took more than 20 vacation days last year. At least somebody gets it.


Chloe Pantazi is an editorial assistant on Thrillist's travel team. She can't wait to burn some vacation days for a trip to Europe this spring. Follow her on Twitter at @ChloePantazi.