Irish workers do not take the equivalent of 3.3 million days of their annual leave, according to a new study.

The Expedia survey looked at 7,855 workers across 25 countries in Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and South America.

It found that Irish people also get five fewer holiday days than their European counterparts.

It says Irish employees typically have 22 days compared to the European average of 28 days, and a global average of 25. This is an increase of 5% from 21 days in 2012 and 2013.

But despite the comparative lack of holidays, almost 8% of us leave holidays untaken.

Workers in France, Denmark, Germany and Spain get and take 30 days annual leave a year - with all four countries reporting that workers took every day available to them.

With emigration in Ireland still very high, the countries attracting the most Irish people offer less holidays than at home.

The study found emigrating workers feel significantly more holiday deprived - raising the question of whether life really would be better abroad.

US workers get an average of 15 days and take 14, Canadian workers are entitled to an average of 16 days and take 15, while workers in Australia get an average of 20 days and take 15 days.

Irish workers who do not take their holiday days cite a lack of money as the main reason, with the second most popular reason being 'work schedule does not allow' and 16% wanting to carry days over to the following year.