A new report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has revealed that psychosocial risks in the workplace are contributing significantly to global ill health, accounting for an estimated 45 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost each year.

The figure reflects years of healthy life lost through illness, disability, or early death linked to work-related stress factors such as excessive workloads, job insecurity, harassment, and poor working environments.

The findings, shared via the organisation’s official X account on Friday, underscore growing concerns about the impact of modern workplace conditions on both physical and mental health.

The ILO warned that without urgent and coordinated action, the burden of work-related stress could continue to rise, further straining healthcare systems and weakening productivity across economies.

It called on governments, employers, and policymakers to strengthen mental health protections at work, improve labour conditions, and introduce stronger safeguards for workers exposed to psychosocial risks.

The organisation further noted that addressing workplace stress is not only a public health priority but also an economic one, arguing that healthier work environments lead to higher productivity and lower healthcare costs globally.

The report adds to previous findings by the ILO indicating that hundreds of thousands of deaths occur annually due to workplace-related health hazards, reinforcing concerns about safety and wellbeing in today’s work environments.