The number of people who were unable to work for a year or longer due to burnout or depression has soared in recent years. At the same time, people with a history of mental health problems are less likely to be employed – a reality that makes clear the need for structural measures.
More than 125,000 people in Belgium have been off from work for at least a year because they were struggling with either burnout or depression by the end of 2022, the latest data from the National Institute for Sickness and Disability Insurance (RIZIV), reported by De Tijd, showed.
This marks an increase of 43% in five years, though the rate of increase has slowed slightly from the 46% rise between 2016 and 2021. However the RIZIV figures are an underestimate given that statutory civil servants are not covered by sickness and benefits insurance.
Burnout and depression are now the primary reasons for the high number of inactive people. The rise in absence due to burnout or depression is particularly striking among women – more than two-thirds of people (69%) off work due to these illnesses were female; self-employed who are off work rose by 62% since 2017.
Costing almost €2 billion
RIZIV started collecting figures on work absence due to burnout and depression as policymakers and employers were keen for greater insight into the problem.
Belgium spent more than €1.8 billion in 2021 on benefits for long-term absences because of depression or burnout – 60% more than five years ago. This accounts for about a quarter of all disability benefits.
The growing group of people off work is largely down to Belgium's ageing workforce. With the national pension age raised, staff are getting older, resulting in more employees facing health issues, the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) noted in a new report.
A greater proportion of women in the labour market also plays a role, as women more often face chronic health problems, possibly because they more often combine a job with household family duties.
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An Antwerp Management School study found that 28% of respondents suffer from stress-related disorders, 21% from depression, 19% from burnout and 17% from anxiety disorder at some point in their careers. More than half are unable or afraid to discuss their mental problems with their manager.
Meanwhile, a quarter of Belgian executives said they would not hire employees with mental health problems, further hindering a return to the labour market for people suffering from burnout and depression.
