840,000 Die Each Year from Workplace Mental Health Risks

Around 840,000 people die each year due to psychosocial risks linked to working conditions, according to a new report by the International Labour Organization, highlighting the growing global toll of stress, long hours and workplace harassment.

Published ahead of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the report draws on data from the World Health Organization to estimate that these risks contribute significantly to deaths related to cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders.

The study identifies five major workplace risk factors: chronic stress, excessive working hours, exposure to harassment, imbalance between effort and reward, and job insecurity. While such health conditions often have multiple causes, the report points to consistent evidence linking negative psychosocial work environments to both mental and heart-related illnesses.

Beyond the human cost, the economic impact is substantial. The report estimates that cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders associated with workplace risks account for around 1.37 percent of global GDP annually.

The ILO is calling for stronger international research efforts to produce more consistent and comparable data, alongside improved evaluation of policies aimed at reducing these risks. It also urges closer cooperation between occupational safety authorities, public health institutions and social partners to strengthen prevention strategies.

Employers are encouraged to take a more proactive role in identifying and addressing psychosocial risks in collaboration with workers, as part of a broader effort to improve mental health and safety in the workplace.