UN Agency Warns Psychosocial Workplace Risks Kill 840,000 Annually

UN Agency Warns Psychosocial Workplace Risks Kill 840,000 Annually
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The International Labour Organization estimates that more than 840,000 people worldwide die each year from work‑related psychosocial risks such as stress, long hours, and harassment, mainly due to heart disease and mental‑health disorders.

More details in the following report:

A new International Labour Organization (ILO) report has revealed a serious global health threat posed by psychosocial risks in the workplace, estimating that over 840,000 people die each year from conditions linked to mental and social pressures at work.

Published ahead of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the report highlights that factors such as long working hours, job insecurity, workplace harassment and bullying are major contributors to fatal health outcomes. These psychosocial risks are primarily associated with cardiovascular diseases — including heart attacks and strokes — and mental health disorders, such as depression and suicide, underscoring the deadly impact of stress embedded in modern work environments.

The ILO’s analysis draws on data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Burden of Disease study, identifying five major workplace risk factors: high job strain, effort–reward imbalance, job insecurity, long work hours, and bullying or harassment. These factors are estimated not only to cause deaths but also contribute to nearly 45 million disability‑adjusted life years lost annually, reflecting years of healthy life lost due to illness or premature death.

Economists involved in the study also warn that these deaths have substantial economic implications, estimating that psychosocial workplace risks reduce global GDP by approximately 1.37 % each year, highlighting how worker health and economic performance are deeply connected.

The ILO has urged governments, employers and social partners to adopt stronger policies and preventive measures that improve work design, reduce harmful pressures and ensure mental‑health support. Experts stress that tackling psychosocial risks is essential not just for protecting individual workers, but also for fostering sustainable and safe workplaces worldwide.