Work-life balance in 2025: addressing the issue of burnout

Burnout now affects nearly half of workers globally. Discover the latest 2025 insights on why it persists, the costs for employers, and practical options for building healthier work-life balance.

Burnout has shifted from a hidden risk to a mainstream challenge affecting organisations in every market. Once seen narrowly as “workplace stress gone unmanaged,” it is now recognised by the World Health Organization as an occupational phenomenon defined by exhaustion, detachment from work, and reduced effectiveness. Left unaddressed, it can escalate into serious health risks and weaken long-term workforce resilience.

Last year, research by Boston Consulting Group found that almost half of workers across major economies report feeling burnt out¹. In Singapore, 61% of employees say they are struggling with burnout², while in Hong Kong, nearly one in two workers report symptoms³. In the UK, around 63% of employees now show signs of burnout such as such as exhaustion and disengagement — up from just over half only two years earlier⁴. Similar stories are being reported across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. The pattern is clear: burnout is rising globally, with younger workers particularly affected.

Why burnout persists

Despite rising awareness, several factors continue to fuel burnout. Hybrid and remote models, while offering flexibility, often blur the line between work and home — with many employees working extra unpaid hours or finding it hard to switch off. Workloads are also heavier and more unpredictable, with economic uncertainty and new technologies increasing pressure.

Support systems exist, but too often they are underused, inconsistent, or not trusted. In some markets, only a minority of employees say they can access confidential counselling or well-being services through their employer. While all generations experience stress, Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to say burnout is affecting their health, engagement, and career plans.

The business impact

Unchecked, burnout comes with a high price. Employers face rising absenteeism, presenteeism, and turnover, as well as reduced innovation and morale. Across Europe, the cost of poor workplace mental health is measured in tens of billions annually, while the World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety already cost the global economy US$1 trillion a year in lost productivity⁵.

Conversely, organisations that invest in effective well-being programmes are seeing measurable returns. Deloitte’s analysis shows that for every £1 invested in mental health initiatives, employers can expect an average return of £4.70, with benefits including fewer sick days, lower attrition, and improved engagement⁵.

What employers can do

There is no single solution to burnout. But employers can create meaningful change by embedding work-life balance into everyday practice. Options include:

• Re-establishing boundaries – Encourage clear expectations around working hours and response times. A simple principle helps: if it’s not urgent, don’t send it at 1:00AM. Policies such as “right to disconnect” or compressed weeks can help people recharge.
• Designing flexible work with care – Hybrid models should balance autonomy with structure, ensuring employees do not feel “always on.”
• Supporting managers – Training leaders to recognise early signs of burnout and to have supportive conversations is vital. Culture flows from the top.
• Providing mental health resources – Accessible counselling, Employee Assistance Programmes, or digital well-being tools can give employees practical outlets for support.
• Encouraging rest and recovery – Promote full use of annual leave and normalise taking breaks. Some employers also offer dedicated “mental health days” to reinforce that well-being time is valued, not stigmatised.

These are not mandates but options that can be adapted by market, role, and culture. What matters is consistency: when organisations show they respect work-life balance, employees are more likely to engage openly.

A global, long-term priority

Burnout is not confined to one region or generation; it is a global phenomenon shaped by local work cultures and expectations. In Asia, overwork is often normalised. In the Middle East, constant connectivity is a leading stressor. In Europe and North America, economic pressure and workload intensity are major triggers.

The implication is universal: employers must take a proactive approach to balance short-term performance demands with long-term workforce health. In doing so, they reduce risk, strengthen resilience, and build reputations as employers of choice.

The way forward

Burnout remains one of the defining workplace challenges of our time. The data shows it is widespread, costly, and rising — but it is also preventable. By taking thoughtful steps to support balance, respect boundaries, and provide accessible resources, organisations can protect well-being while unlocking stronger business performance.

In 2025, the opportunity is clear: work-life balance is no longer a “nice to have” — it is a strategic imperative for building sustainable, healthy, and productive workforces.

Sources

1. Boston Consulting Group (2024). Half of Workers Around the World Are Struggling with Burnout.
2. HRM Asia (2024). Burnout Crisis Deepens in Singapore Workplaces.
3. HCAMag Asia (2024). 1 in 2 Hong Kong Employees Suffering from Burnout.
4. MHFA England (2025). Key Workplace Mental Health Statistics.
5. Deloitte (2024). Mental health and employers: the case for investment