Ramadan 2025: Which countries have longest, shortest fasting hours?

As most Arab and Islamic countries prepare to begin Ramadan on Saturday, 2025, fasting durations will vary widely based on geographical location. Here's a breakdown of how long Muslims around the world will fast:

Why Do Fasting Hours Vary By Country?

• Countries north of the equator experience longer daylight hours, leading to extended fasting times.
• Countries south of the equator have shorter days, resulting in fewer fasting hours.
• As Ramadan progresses, fasting durations gradually increase with the approach of summer.

Where Are the Longest Fasting Hours?

• Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark) and parts of Iceland, Greenland, northern Canada, and Alaska will see fasting hours between 19 and 21 hours.
• In the Arab world, the longest fasting hours will be in Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco, ranging from 14 to 16 hours.
• Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq will experience fasting durations of 15 to 16 hours on the longest days.

Where Are the Shortest Fasting Hours?

• Chile has one of the shortest fasting durations, with some cities recording just 11 hours of fasting.
• In the southern hemisphere, fasting hours will range between 11 and 13 hours in countries like:
  Brazil (Brasília), Zimbabwe (Harare), and Argentina (Buenos Aires): 12–13 hours
  South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town): 11–12 hours
  New Zealand (Christchurch): 12 hours
• In the Arab world, the shortest fasting hours will be in:
  The Comoros: 12–13 hours
  Sudan, Yemen, and Somalia: 13–14 hours

With Ramadan’s arrival, fasting hours will continue to shift, making the experience unique for Muslims around the globe.