Ramadan 2025: Longest and Shortest Fasting Hours by Country

Ramadan 2025: Countries with the Longest and Shortest Fasting Hours

As Ramadan approaches, Muslims around the world are preparing for a month of fasting from dawn to sunset. However, the length of the daily fast varies significantly depending on location, with some places experiencing extended daylight while others have much shorter days.

Fasting Hours Across the Arab World

In the Arab world, Algeria will see the longest fasting duration, with Muslims fasting for 16 hours and 44 minutes. On the other hand, Somalia will have the shortest fasting period in the region at just 13 hours. Across most Arab nations, fasting hours this year will range between 16 and 17 hours, depending on the specific location.

The Longest Fasting Hours: Scandinavia and the Arctic Circle

For those living closer to the Arctic Circle, fasting hours are significantly longer. In countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland, some regions will see fasting durations exceeding 20 hours.

• In Kiruna, Sweden, the sun barely dips below the horizon, making the fasting day extremely long.
• Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, will also have up to 20 hours of fasting due to the “midnight sun” phenomenon, where daylight stretches for most of the day.
• Iceland will experience fasting for nearly 20 hours, while Helsinki, Finland, will see around 19 hours and 9 minutes of fasting.
• In northern Canada and Alaska, high latitudes mean long daylight hours, resulting in some of the longest fasting times in the world.

The Shortest Fasting Hours: Southern Hemisphere

Meanwhile, countries in the Southern Hemisphere will experience much shorter fasting durations, as their daylight hours are relatively shorter during this time of year.

• Cities like Brasilia, Brazil, and Harare, Zimbabwe, will see fasting times between 12 to 13 hours.
• In South Africa, cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town will observe fasting for around 11 to 12 hours.
• Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Christchurch, New Zealand, will have fasting durations close to 12 hours.
• One of the shortest fasting periods will be in King Scott, Chile, where the fasting duration will be between 11 and 12 hours.

These variations are due to the Earth’s tilt and the positioning of each country relative to the equator. The closer a location is to the equator, the more consistent the fasting hours remain throughout the year.

Longest Fasting Hours in 2025

1. Kiruna, Sweden – 20 hours 30 minutes
2. Norway – 20 hours 30 minutes
3. Helsinki, Finland – 19 hours 9 minutes
4. Reykjavik, Iceland – 19 hours 59 minutes
5. Nuuk, Greenland – 20 hours
6. Ottawa, Canada – 16.5 hours
7. Algeria – 16 hours 44 minutes
8. Glasgow, Scotland – 16.5 hours
9. Zurich, Switzerland – 16.5 hours
10. Rome, Italy – 16.5 hours
11. Madrid, Spain – 16 hours
12. London, UK – 16 hours
13. Paris, France – 15.5 hours

Shortest Fasting Hours in 2025

1. Brasilia, Brazil – 12-13 hours
2. Harare, Zimbabwe – 12-13 hours
3. Islamabad, Pakistan – 12-13 hours
4. Johannesburg, South Africa – 11-12 hours
5. Montevideo, Uruguay – 11-12 hours
6. Buenos Aires, Argentina – 12 hours
7. Christchurch, New Zealand – 12 hours
8. Dubai, UAE – 13 hours
9. New Delhi, India – 12.5 hours
10. Jakarta, Indonesia – 12.5 hours
11. Medina, Saudi Arabia – 13 hours
12. New York, USA – Approximately 13 hours
13. Istanbul, Turkey – Approximately 13 hours

Whether fasting for 11 hours or over 20 hours, Muslims around the world will come together to observe Ramadan with faith and resilience. Despite the differences in fasting times, the shared experience of self-discipline, prayer, and community spirit remains at the heart of this holy month.