Ramadan 2026: Longest and Shortest Fasting Hours by Country

Ramadan 2026: 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.

The Shortest Fasting Hours: Northern Hemisphere

Since it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, this Ramadan, people living there will experience much shorter fasting durations, as their daylight hours are relatively shorter during this time of year.

• One of the shortest fasting periods will be in Paris, France and Reykjavik, Iceland, where the fasting duration will be around 11 hours.
• London, UK, Astana, Kazakhstan and Dublin, Ireland will see fasting times for around 12 hours.

The Longest Fasting Hours: Southern Hemisphere

People in southern countries like Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa will have the longest fasts, lasting about 14 to 15 hours on the first day. However, the number of fasting hours will decrease throughout the month.

• Cities like Christchurch, New Zealand, and Johannesburg, South Africa, will see fasting times between 14 to 15 hours.
• Harare, Zimbabwe and Brasilia, Brazil will observe fasting for 13 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 2026

1. Christchurch, New Zealand – 15 hours 22 minutes
2. Puerto Montt, Chile – 15 hours 13 minutes
3. Canberra, Australia – 14 hours 48 minutes
4. Montevideo, Uruguay – 14 hours 42 minutes
5. Buenos Aires, Argentina – 14 hours 42 minutes
6. Johannesburg, South Africa – 14 hours 13 minutes
7. Ciudad del Este, Paraguay – 14 hours 12 minutes
8. Harare, Zimbabwe – 13 hours 53 minutes
9. Brasilia, Brazil – 13 hours 47 minutes
10. Luanda, Angola – 13 hours 38 minutes

Shortest Fasting Hours in 2026

1. Paris, France – 11 hours 33 minutes 
2. Reykjavik, Iceland – 11 hours 42 minutes
3. Nuuk, Greenland – 11 hours 42 minutes
4. Helsinki, Finland – 11 hours 44 minutes
5. Moscow, Russia – 11 hours 44 minutes
6. Oslo, Norway – 11 hours 51 minutes
7. Stockholm, Sweden – 11 hours 52 minutes
8. Ottawa, Canada – 11 hours 55 minutes
9. London, UK – 12 hours 01 minutes
10. Astana, Kazakhstan – 12 hours 02 minutes

Whether fasting for 11 hours or over 15 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.