Workers Feel More Vacation Deprived After the Pandemic

Expedia’s 2023 Vacation Deprivation reveals how 45% of Americans left vacation days on the table in 2022, but they are on a path to taking more time off in 2023.

We’ve all been there before – even though we may have a limited amount of vacation, we don’t take time off to enjoy a relaxing, stress-free getaway because we’re working too hard. If you can identify with that, then chances are you’re one of the many Americans who consider themselves vacation deprived. 

In fact, according to Expedia’s 23rd annual Vacation Deprivation Report, global vacation deprivation levels are the highest they’ve been in 10 years. Vacation deprivation rates this year (63%) are nearly on par with 2021 (64%), when Americans were still reeling from lockdowns and travel restrictions, and nearly half (45%) of Americans left vacation days on the table in 2022.

The biggest factor at play, which may come as a surprise to no one, is financial. Travelers are weighing the desire for their next trip with worry over a possible recession, and workplace labor shortages, travel disruptions, and pain points in trip planning are also contributing to the global increase in feelings of deprivation.

The U.S., Mexico, and Singapore received and took the fewest vacation days in 2022. Respondents in France and Germany received the most vacation days while those in Japan and Hong Kong took the most time off, on average taking four additional days on top of what they were allotted. 

Despite the barriers, Americans are on a path to reducing vacation deprivation in 2023. Nine out of 10 vacation-deprived Americans say they see regular vacations as a basic right, and a whopping 81% of travelers globally intend to travel the same amount or more in 2023. And no big surprise, but globally, parents tend to be more vacation deprived than those without children, as do those living in urban areas compared to suburban or rural residents. 

The report also reveals that vacation deprivation is hitting younger generations harder: At 75%, Gen Z workers are the most vacation deprived, followed by Millenials at 66%, and Gen X at 58%, while Baby Boomers are the least vacation deprived, which follows patterns from previous years and also shows that the retirement years are a great time to travel.

Click here to check out the full global 2023 Vacation Deprivation Report.

About the Report: Expedia first commissioned Vacation Deprivation in 2000 to examine the work-life balance of people worldwide. The annual study is currently in its 23rd year and was conducted online among 14,527 respondents across North and South America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Commissioned from February 9 – March 3, 2023, on behalf of Expedia by Northstar Research Partners, a global strategic research firm, responses were gathered using an amalgamated group of best-in-class panels. Looking at the margin of error for the global average, a 1-4% difference is statistically significant at 90% confidence.