Work-related stress in Germany reaches record high, report reveals

New data from health insurance company KKH (Kaufmännische Krankenkasse) has revealed that people working in Germany have never before been as stressed as they are now. 

Stress third-main reason for time off work in Germany

KKH data has revealed that almost 119 sick days per 100 insured individuals in 2025 were down to stress. This is an almost 80 percent increase compared to the 66 days reported in 2017. In 2024, the number was slightly lower at 112 days.

The report also revealed that stress reactions and adjustment disorders were the third most common reason for employees to be on sick leave, behind respiratory infections and back pain.

Working from home blurs work-life balance

KKH attributes the high levels of stress in Germany’s workforce partly to demanding workloads, ongoing overtime, low pay and financial worries coupled with a rising cost of living, as well as disagreements at work. KKH psychiatry expert and physician Aileen Könitz adds that reliance on laptops and smartphones makes the problem worse.

Despite a rise in flexibility and working-from-home options, technology means that employees are constantly switched on. "I like to call it the invisible stress of ambiguity,” says Könitz. "Modern work can be exhausting, even though it has become more flexible. Work is stressful today not only because it is generally perceived as too much, but also because so much remains undecided, vague, and unresolved.”

While working from home can add flexibility to routines, it can also “trigger stress when clear rules are lacking”. The traditional boundaries between work and home life can also blur and seep into time that would usually be left to disconnect and unwind. 

Over time, ongoing pressure at work and a lack of rest can lead to health issues such as chronic stress, fatigue and burnout. Könitz emphasises that both companies and employees can play a part in helping to prevent this from happening. Creating a clear structure, respecting breaks and time off, and prioritising disconnecting from work can help contribute to a better work-life balance.