New data has shown that British women are more affected by burnout than anywhere else in Europe – with symptoms including physical exhaustion, headaches, and feelings of dread
More than half of young women in the UK have experienced burnout, with the country facing higher levels of the problem than anywhere else in Europe, new data has revealed.
In the UK, 56% of women between the ages of 18 to 24 said they have experienced burnout, according to the STADA Health Report 2025. Meanwhile, 44% of those aged 35 to 44 also said they had suffered from it.
Both figures are significantly higher than the global average, with two thirds of Brits having dealt with burnout, compared to 34% of people across Europe. The report surveyed 27,000 people from 22 countries.
Burnout has been classed as an “occupational phenomenon” by the World Health Organization, and is described as a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. It can be caused by stress and can lead to feeling so detached and demotivated that “it impacts your ability to function and you feel hopeless that your situation can change”, Mental Health UK explains.
Someone’s behaviour can change due to burnout and they may appear less productive, excessively tired, irritable or isolated. They may also have difficulty concentrating and could rely on excessive alcohol or drugs, the charity says.
British men are also experiencing higher levels of burnout than their European counterparts – with 43% of 18 to 24-year-olds and 36% of 35 to 44-year-olds going through it compared to men in other countries.
Dr Anisha Patel, a GP and TV doctor, said that burnout is “one of the most pressing issues facing individuals today”. She added: “I myself have suffered from burnout and as clinicians, we’re seeing more and more people at breaking point mentally, which can also impact their physical health and it’s clear that our mental health services need not only more investment, but cultural change.”
Despite the high levels of burnout, Brits rarely report mental health as a reason for sick leave, particularly in comparison to the rest of Europe. In fact, only 22% said they had called in sick at work due to stress.
Dr Patel said: “What’s striking is how stigma continues to hold us back. Despite widespread experiences of burnout, the UK still reports low levels of people taking sick leave for mental health reasons compared to other European countries. This suggests people are still suffering in silence and in 2025, that just shouldn’t be the case.”
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In March, the health secretary revealed that the government’s mental health spending amounted to £14.9 billion. Wes Streeting said that for 2025-26, this figure is expected to reach £15.6 billion, which he said “represents another significant up lift in real terms spending on mental health”.
Streeting explained that the spending would allow Labour to deliver its manifesto commitments, including recruiting 8,500 mental health staff members, modernising the Mental Health Act, providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, and creating a network of community Young Futures Hubs.
The report also found that only 17% of Europeans are engaged in some sort of professional or self-help routine for their mental health and just 10% work with therapists or counsellors.
It states: “One possible reason for this low uptake – apart from accessibility, which is insufficient in most countries – may be how mental health is valued at the systemic level. Three in five (60%) Europeans think that mental and physical health are not treated equally in their country’s healthcare system.”
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