Greece has recorded the highest level of work-related stress, depression and anxiety among all European Union member states, according to a new survey by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Nearly half of Greek workers, 49%, said they had experienced stress, depression or anxiety caused or worsened by their jobs, well above the EU average of 29%.
The survey, known as OSH Pulse 2025, was carried out as part of the Flash Eurobarometer program between March 31 and April 14, 2025. Researchers interviewed 25,688 workers across the EU, including 1,002 in Greece.
Finland followed Greece with the second-highest rate at 45%, while Cyprus and Poland tied for third at 41% each. Spain came next at 40%. At the other end of the scale, Denmark reported the lowest rate at 19%, followed by Germany at 20% and Bulgaria and Slovenia, both at 21%.
The 30-point gap between Greece and Denmark shows how far work-related stress in Greece outpaces the rest of the bloc.
Why work-related stress in Greece keeps climbing
The survey’s breakdown of Greek workplaces points to several likely causes. Fifty-seven percent of Greek workers said they face severe time pressure or an overload of work, compared with 44% across the EU.
Mental health at work must be treated as seriously as physical safety.
The @Europarl_EN is calling for new EU legislation on psychosocial risks at work. This echoes our recommendations: health policies should protect workers’ mental well-being.
Our call: https://t.co/QtPWyWKEt9 pic.twitter.com/0sdE2lopO4
— European Economic and Social Committee (@EU_EESC) September 13, 2026
Forty-four percent cited a lack of rewards, such as pay or career opportunities, versus 34% EU-wide. Thirty percent reported poor communication within their organization, 23% said they lack autonomy over their work pace, 20% reported verbal abuse from customers or clients, and 11% reported harassment or bullying, all above the EU average for the same categories.
These pressures appear to carry a physical cost as well. Forty-four percent of Greek workers reported overall fatigue linked to their jobs, compared with 37% across the EU, and 43% reported headaches or eyestrain, against an EU average of 35%.
Career fears, support gaps and digital pressure compound the strain
The survey also found a contradiction in Greek attitudes toward mental health. More Greek workers than the EU average said they would feel comfortable discussing mental health with a manager, yet nearly seven in ten also said disclosing a mental health condition would hurt their career, compared with fewer than half of workers EU-wide.
Workplace support appears limited. Only 28% of Greek workers said their employer offered training on coping with stress, compared with 53% across the EU, and just 26% had access to counseling or psychological support, versus 40% EU-wide.
Digital technology also weighs heavily on Greek workers. Seventy percent said digital tools now determine the pace of their work, compared with 48% across the EU, one of the widest gaps found anywhere in the survey.
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