Netherlands Leads 2026 Leisure Affordability Ranking, US Second

An October 2026 study covering 30 countries finds that the Netherlands offers the strongest combination of hourly take-home pay and affordable leisure activities, followed by the United States, Australia and Spain.

The Netherlands has ranked first in a new international study examining how much everyday entertainment workers can afford with one hour of pay, while the United States secured second place despite rising living costs. The research, commissioned by digital entertainment platform Casino.com, compared wages, working hours, taxation and leisure prices across 30 countries to assess the affordability of common recreational activities.

Published in October 2026, the study calculated estimated hourly take-home income and compared it with the cost of cinema tickets, restaurant meals, monthly gym memberships and cappuccinos. Each country received a composite Entertainment Affordability Score reflecting how far an hour of earnings could stretch across those activities.

The Netherlands topped the ranking with a score of 83.034 and estimated hourly disposable income of $36.68. The United States followed with 71.527 points and $33.14 per hour, while Australia ranked third with 70.396 points.

The findings offer a perspective on purchasing power and access to leisure, particularly as households across many countries face higher costs for dining, entertainment and recreational services.

Top 10 Countries Where One Hour of Work Buys the Most Leisure

According to the study, European countries occupy seven of the top 10 positions, reflecting differences in wages, working hours and recreational prices.

Rank	Country	Entertainment Affordability Score	Hourly Take-Home Income
1	Netherlands	83.034	$36.68
2	United States	71.527	$33.14
3	Australia	70.396	$29.79
4	Spain	69.438	$23.27
5	Poland	65.113	$18.13
6	Austria	62.877	$29.14
7	Iceland	61.400	$38.28
8	Sweden	57.276	$24.60
9	Luxembourg	56.839	$34.03
10	Germany	55.007	$26.35

Source: Casino.com, October 2026 leisure affordability study, distributed by PR Data Index. The rankings and income estimates are supplied by the research sponsor.

Although Iceland has the highest estimated hourly take-home income among these 10 countries, it ranks seventh overall. The difference illustrates how leisure prices, rather than earnings alone, influence the study's results.

Similarly, Spain and Poland perform relatively well despite recording lower hourly incomes than several countries further down the table.

Netherlands Leads on Wages, Working Hours and Leisure Costs

The Netherlands ranked first with estimated hourly take-home earnings of approximately $37 and an average working week of just over 30 hours, according to the research.

The study estimates that one hour of work is sufficient to purchase more than two cinema tickets or eight cappuccinos. A monthly gym membership costs only slightly more than the equivalent of one hour of take-home earnings.

These findings reflect the combination of comparatively high wages and accessible recreational prices used in the study's methodology. The Netherlands also recorded the shortest average working week among the countries examined, according to the research.

However, the results should not be interpreted as establishing that the Netherlands has the world's best overall work-life balance. Leisure affordability does not capture housing costs, commuting, working conditions, personal wellbeing or the distribution of income across different households.

United States Ranks Second Despite Rising Entertainment Prices

The United States secured second place, with estimated hourly disposable income of $33.14. According to the study, one hour of work can cover an inexpensive restaurant meal while leaving approximately $13 available for other expenses.

Gym membership affordability also contributed to the country's position. The research estimates that one hour of earnings covers nearly three-quarters of the cost of a monthly gym membership, placing the US behind only the Netherlands on that particular comparison.

Nevertheless, rising consumer prices continue to affect American households. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that food purchased away from home rose 3.5% over the 12 months ending September 2026, while electricity prices increased 4.4%.

Such increases affect both consumers and the businesses providing recreational services, particularly restaurants, cinemas and fitness facilities facing operating costs for labour, utilities and property.

The national averages also conceal considerable differences between American cities. The cost of a restaurant meal, cinema ticket or gym membership can vary substantially by location, meaning that individual purchasing power may differ from the national figures.

Spain, Australia and Poland Demonstrate the Importance of Local Prices

Australia placed third in the ranking, with estimated hourly disposable income of $29.79. According to the research, an average annual salary of approximately $72,000 translates into around $55,000 after taxes, with a typical working week of 35.5 hours.

The study estimates that one hour of Australian earnings can purchase two cinema tickets or approximately eight cappuccinos. An inexpensive restaurant meal costs about $16.50, equivalent to slightly more than half the estimated hourly take-home income.

Spain followed in fourth place, despite lower hourly earnings of $23.27. Its relatively affordable leisure prices allow workers to purchase more than two cinema tickets or nine cappuccinos with one hour of income, according to the research.

Poland completed the top five with an estimated hourly income of $18.13. The study found that relatively inexpensive cinema tickets and restaurant meals helped the country achieve a higher affordability score than several economies with greater average earnings.

These comparisons indicate that the relationship between income and local prices can be more important for recreational affordability than wages considered in isolation.

What Leisure Affordability Reveals About Urban Quality of Life

The findings raise questions about how cities can support access to recreation as an important part of everyday urban life.

Restaurants, cultural venues, cinemas, sports facilities and social spaces contribute to the experiences available to residents beyond their working hours. Their affordability can influence participation in local cultural activities, physical exercise and social life.

However, access also depends on factors beyond price. Transport connections, neighbourhood infrastructure, opening hours and the availability of recreational facilities can determine whether residents are able to make use of them.

The study provides a comparison of selected leisure purchases but does not measure these wider urban conditions. Its results are best understood as an affordability snapshot rather than a comprehensive assessment of national wellbeing or city liveability.

For urban planners and policymakers, the research draws attention to the relationship between local wages, consumer prices and opportunities for recreation. As household budgets face pressure, affordable leisure remains one consideration in creating accessible and economically inclusive cities.

About the Study

The October 2026 research was commissioned by Casino.com, a digital entertainment platform. It examined 30 countries using estimated annual earnings, weekly working hours and taxation to calculate hourly take-home income, which was then compared against four recreational expenses.

The company combined these comparisons into a proprietary Entertainment Affordability Score. The full weighting methodology, underlying country-level price dataset and sampling details were not provided in the supplied release.