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Italy reports high levels of workplace stress
Recent data indicates significant stress levels among the Italian workforce. According to the Gallup 2026 report, 51% of Italian workers experienced high stress levels, which is notably higher than the European average of 39%. Additionally, a 2025 Ipsos survey found that 59% of Italians experienced stress so intense they were unable to manage it within the last year.
David Lazzari, president of Benèpsys, noted that stress often stems from an imbalance between professional and personal demands and available resources. Factors contributing to this pressure include work rhythms, family responsibilities, economic difficulties, and future uncertainty. Chronic stress can lead to physical and emotional consequences, including sleep disturbances and biological imbalances.
Sector-specific data from Inail and Osservatorio Pool Pharma identifies healthcare as the sector with the highest rate of stress-related issues at 11.8%, followed by retail at 9.8% and public administration at 6.3%. Within these sectors, doctors (29.1%), nurses (20%), and porters (18.2%) are among the most exposed professionals. Shift work and irregular hours are also cited as significant contributors to elevated cortisol levels.
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What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] David Lazzari is the president of Benèpsys.
- [● 3 SOURCES] A 2025 Ipsos survey found 59% of Italians experienced unmanageable stress in the last year.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The European average for worker stress is 39%.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Benèpsys Observatory 2026 Report recorded a Stress Index Italia value of 5.26 out of 7.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The 2026 Gallup report states 51% of Italian workers experienced high stress the day before the interview.