While many nations follow Monday as the first day (as per the ISO 8601 standard), several countries, particularly those with strong Christian influences, consider Sunday as the first day.
In this article, we’ll explore the list of countries where Sunday is officially recognized as the first day of the week and why this cultural difference exists.
List of Countries Where Sunday is the First Day of the Week
The following countries officially (or culturally) recognize Sunday as the first day in calendars and business practices:
North & South America
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Colombia
- Chile
- Peru
Europe
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Portugal
Africa
- South Africa
- Nigeria
- Egypt (mixed usage, some calendars use Sunday)
Asia & Middle East
- India (some regions and calendars)
- Pakistan (some calendars)
- Saudi Arabia (Islamic week starts on Sunday)
- UAE (Sunday is the first workday)
- Israel (Sunday is the first workday, though the week starts on Saturday in Judaism)
Oceania
- Australia
- New Zealand
Why Do Some Countries Start the Week on Sunday?
The tradition of Sunday as the first day stems from:
- Religious Significance: In Christianity, Sunday is the “Lord’s Day,” marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Historical Calendars: The Gregorian and Julian calendars historically began the week with Sunday.
- Cultural Practices: Many Western countries follow this convention in calendars and workweeks.
How Does This Affect Business & Travel?
- Workweek Variations: In Middle Eastern countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the workweek runs from Sunday to Thursday.
- Calendar Layouts: Digital calendars (Google, Apple) often allow users to choose between Sunday or Monday as the start.
- Scheduling Meetings: Always confirm local workweek norms to avoid confusion in international business.
Also see: How many Sundays in a year?
Conclusion
While Sunday is the first day in the US, Canada, UK, and many Christian-influenced nations, most of the world follows Monday as per ISO standards. Understanding these differences helps in global communication and planning.
Did we miss any country? Let us know!