# Rising mental health and stress-related absenteeism in NL > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mental-health-absenteeism-in-the-netherlands > Updated: 2026-09-26T11:38:33.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3. The Netherlands is experiencing a significant rise in absenteeism linked to mental health and stress. Data from Arbo Unie indicates that absenteeism due to anxiety, mood, and substance disorders increased by 35.9 percent between 2023 and 2025, with a 63 percent rise among workers aged 25 to 35. Recent data from occupational health services ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare shows a 12 percent increase in lost workdays due to stress over the past year, contributing to a 49 percent increase over a five-year period. The duration of absence is notably high, averaging 257 days for stress-related issues and 338 days for burnout. Contributing factors include high workloads, financial concerns, and caregiving responsibilities. Statistics indicate that women experience stress-related absenteeism at roughly twice the rate of men, often with longer durations of absence. In response, stakeholders signed the ‘Sterk door Werk’ covenant to focus on proactive prevention. Experts, including Robert Wondaal of Robidus Services, note that late intervention leads to the loss of talent in a tight labor market, arguing that early recognition of overload is more cost-effective than recovery efforts. Employment trends are also shifting. While fewer workers are leaving for new jobs or businesses—dropping from approximately 42 percent in 2022 to over 38 percent in 2025—forced dismissals due to economic reasons have risen from nearly 5 percent to over 8 percent. Analysts suggest these shifts may be driven by labor market tightness and an aging workforce. ## Claims - the share of people leaving jobs for new employment or starting a business fell from 42 percent to over 38 percent between 2022 and 2025 (corroborated by 2 sources) - forced dismissals for economic reasons increased from nearly 5 percent in 2022 to over 8 percent in 2025 (corroborated by 2 sources) - absenteeism due to anxiety, mood, and substance disorders rose 35.9 percent between 2023 and 2025 (single source) - absenteeism in the 25 to 35 age group rose 63 percent between 2023 and 2025 (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-26: Stress-related absenteeism rises in the Netherlands Stress-related absenteeism in the Netherlands has risen 49 percent over five years, with burnout causing long-term absences. Experts urge early prevention to retain talent and manage rising workloads. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stress-related-absenteeism-rises-in-the-netherlands ### 2026-09-23: Netherlands labor market sees rise in mental health absenteeism and shift in job turnover New data from the Netherlands shows a 35.9% rise in mental health-related absenteeism and a decline in employees leaving jobs for new opportunities due to labor market tightness. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netherlands-labor-market-sees-rise-in-mental-health-absenteeism-and-shift-in-job-turnover ### 2026-09-21: Dutch insurers launch initiative to prevent mental health absenteeism Dutch insurers and partners have launched the ‘Sterk door Werk’ covenant to prevent mental health-related absenteeism, while TNO reports highlight the high financial costs of sick leave for employers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dutch-insurers-launch-initiative-to-prevent-mental-health-absenteeism --- Cite as: Rising mental health and stress-related absenteeism in NL. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mental-health-absenteeism-in-the-netherlands