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- How much work-related stress is there in Spain? - March 14, 2026
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In Spain, around 401% of the working population links work with stress, depression, or anxiety, according to the European OSH Pulse 2025 survey. This figure is higher than the EU average, which stands at 291%.
What are the statistics on work-related stress in Spain?
The most recent photograph does not speak of an isolated malaise, but of a broad and sustained problem that places Spain above the European average in work-related mental health.
The Ministry of Health already treats work as a key determinant of mental health and, when the problem makes it difficult to keep working normally, Spain may move toward sick leave after a clinical assessment.
That figure doesn't mean that four out of ten people are on sick leave or have a formal diagnosis. It measures how many perceive that their work causes or worsens that discomfort, so it shouldn't be interpreted as definitive clinical data.
Why isn't work-related stress just about pressure?
The technical documents of the INSST and the Ministry agree that work-related stress usually stems from organizational factors, such as excessive workload, high pace, low autonomy, irregular schedules or job insecurity.
This explains why the debate has shifted its focus from individual resistance. Official Spanish evidence places the emphasis on how work is organized and the actual degree of control individuals have over their workday and tasks.
What are the consequences for the Spanish system?
The impact is already reflected in public records. The INSST (National Institute for Safety and Health at Work) summarizes that mental disorders are the second leading cause of temporary disability in Spain, and that between 2018 and 2024, absences due to emotional symptoms and diagnoses of severe stress increased sharply.
The Ministry of Health adds another relevant perspective. When job insecurity is reduced, some of the psychological harm associated with employment can also be reduced, making the problem a matter of public health and not just a business issue.
Who is most affected and what options are available in Spain?
Official documentation underlines that the burden is not distributed equally and that women, young people, migrants and socially disadvantaged groups bear a greater exposure to more fragile or unpredictable working conditions.
For those unfamiliar with the Spanish system, the framework combines workplace prevention, healthcare, and labor procedures. The key point is that work-related stress is not treated as a simple lack of resilience, but as a psychosocial risk that may require assessment, clinical documentation, and organizational measures.
This text is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. If mental distress interferes with your daily life or work, consult a healthcare professional and review the official information applicable in Spain.
