Where in the World Do Clocks Change and Why It Still Happens

Ever wondered why some countries change their clocks twice a year while others don’t? The practice, known as Daylight Saving Time (DST), remains a global debate — with around 70 countries still participating and others saying goodbye to it altogether.

Most European nations continue to adjust their clocks, except for Russia, Iceland, and Turkey, which have opted out of the biannual switch. Beyond Europe, regions in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean also observe DST. Meanwhile, Australia joins in partially, as only some states make the shift. Interestingly, Egypt remains the only country in Africa that changes its clocks, while nations like Mexico have decided to stop.

Why do the clocks change?

The time change typically happens twice a year — clocks move forward on the last Sunday of March and back on the last Sunday of October. The goal? To make better use of natural daylight and reduce energy consumption during summer months.

The idea dates back to Benjamin Franklin, who suggested in 1784 that people could save candles by waking up earlier when it’s light outside. Over time, this evolved into the modern DST system many countries still follow today.

However, not everyone is a fan. Critics argue that shifting the time disrupts people’s sleep cycles and could cause health issues. Others believe that stopping DST would mean darker, less safe mornings in winter — especially for schoolchildren and commuters.

In 2024, former U.S. President Donald Trump even suggested abolishing DST altogether across the United States, reigniting the long-standing discussion on whether it’s still relevant in modern times.

Do I need to change the clock on my device?

For those wondering if they need to manually adjust the time — if your smartphone, computer, or tablet is connected to the internet, it’ll likely update automatically. But if you still use a traditional clock or analog watch, you’ll need to do it yourself.

Whether you love or hate it, time change season is one global ritual that still divides the world — one hour at a time. ⏰

This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here