Increasing number of burnout complaints among young people

TNO research shows that young people are increasingly experiencing burnout symptoms. In 2022, as many as 1 in 4 workers between the ages of 18 and 34 suffered from burnout complaints due to work stress. The share of absenteeism due to work-related psychological complaints is also increasing. Especially in education and healthcare, the number of reports is increasing.

Number of young women with burnout symptoms increasing

Especially among highly educated young women, there is a strong increase in the number of work-related psychological complaints. Young women therefore generally experience more burnout complaints than men. Moreover, the group of young women with significant complaints is growing: in 2020, 25% of young women will experience burnout complaints and in 2022 it will be as high as 29%. However, young men do not escape it either. In 2022, 23% experience burnout complaints, compared to 13% in 2015.

Many complaints in education and healthcare

In the sectors where relatively many women are employed, such as education and healthcare, not only is the group with burnout complaints high, but the group of workers with few burnout complaints has been getting smaller in recent years. That is, there are fewer and fewer workers in healthcare and education without burnout complaints. And that, of course, is a worrisome development.

In 2021, the ICT sector saw an increase in burnout complaints and absenteeism with psychological complaints. This increase was possibly caused by corona's rapid changes in work.

Pressure to perform

Young people experience a lot of pressure to perform. Both from society and at work and social level. The feeling of always having to do everything right, being constantly available, care responsibilities and the combination of work and family give a lot of stress. Social and financial uncertainty play an important role alongside uncertainty about one's career. Performance pressure, uncertainties in life and social pressure are therefore mentioned as the most important stress factors.

In addition, young people face a constant stream of negative news, for example about the climate, bullock, war and COVID-19. Inflation, high mortgage payments and student debt were often mentioned from a financial perspective. The influence of social media on young people's self-image also contribute to this stress. Uncertainties in work and living situations hinder personal development and give a pessimistic outlook for the future.

'Hey, it's okay' campaign

With the "Hey, it's okay" campaign, the Ministry of Health, Welfare & Sport and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment are trying to make work-related stress among young people negotiable. They call this an important step toward breaking the stigma surrounding burnout and offering help to young people in need. More information about the campaign can be found at heyhetisoke.nl.