The cost of political inaction on work-related stress, burnout and mental ill-health across Europe amounts to at least €100 billion per year.

Omissions

• The €100 billion figure originates from the ETUI study 'The costs of cardiovascular diseases and depression attributable to psychosocial work exposures in the European Union' (Sultan-Taïeb et al., 2025), which covers 28 countries (EU-27 + UK), not strictly the EU-27, and the headline figure relates specifically to work-related depression rather than to all psychosocial risks (stress, burnout, mental ill-health) taken together.
• The total cost including cardiovascular diseases attributable to psychosocial work exposures is likely higher than the €100 billion depression figure, so the 'at least' formulation is conservative and defensible.
• No primary source directly quoting the ETUI report's own text with the €100 billion figure could be opened; the figure is corroborated by independent secondary reporting citing the study.

Sources

• PrimaryETUI – European Trade Union Institute (publication page for the study)The costs of cardiovascular diseases and depression attributable to psychosocial work exposures in the European Union – ETUI report (Sultan-Taïeb et al.).
• SecondaryEuronews"More than €100 billion a year. That's the annual cost of work-related depression in the European Union, according to a study published on Monday."
• SecondaryEuronews (follow-up)"In the EU, the annual costs of work-related depression are estimated to exceed €100 billion, with employers bearing more than 80% of the burden."
• SecondaryHSER (Health, Safety & Environment Review)"A report from ETUI has estimated the economic toll of work-related stress across the European Union at US$105bn annually."
• SecondaryETUI – news page on the report"This landmark study breaks new ground in understanding the toll of work-related stress across Europe. It covers all 28 EU countries (27 + UK)..."