nuNov 9, 2026, 06:35

One in five employees feels mentally exhausted from work at least once a month

Research from TNO and CBS shows that more than one in five employees in the Netherlands experiences work-related mental exhaustion monthly. This fatigue, which is a leading cause of workplace absenteeism, is increasingly prevalent among younger workers and those in highly specialized or responsible professions.

According to recent research conducted by TNO and the CBS, over one in five employees in the Netherlands experiences mental exhaustion related to their jobs at least once a month. This condition is characterized by feelings of emotional drain, emptiness at the end of the workday, and general fatigue. Mental health issues now stand as the primary cause for workplace absenteeism, following the flu.

Data indicates that workers aged 25 to 35 are the most affected, with 28 percent reporting exhaustion compared to 15 percent a decade ago. Professionals in fields requiring high responsibility and specialized tasks, such as psychologists and sociologists, are particularly vulnerable. Conversely, the agricultural sector reports the lowest rates of work-related fatigue. Demographic trends also show that women are more frequently affected than men, and instances of reported exhaustion have risen significantly across all age groups over the past ten years.

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Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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