Work-related stress and burnout costing UK economy £28bn per year, research shows

More people are struggling in the UK than in any other country, according to a survey of 30,000 people in 16 nations

People taking sick days because of work-related stress or burnout is costing the UK economy £28bn a year, according to new research which highlights the financial toll of poor mental wellbeing.

More people said they were struggling in the UK than in any other nation, the survey of 30,000 adults across 16 European, Asian and American countries by insurer Axa UK and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) found.

More than a fifth of UK adults reported being in emotional distress, defined as “struggling”, compared to 17 per cent in the US, 14 per cent in Japan and Ireland, and just 5 per cent of respondents in Thailand.