One-half of workers in Japan are struggling with their mental health

A recent McKinsey Health Institute survey of over 30,000 workers across 30 countries found that while mental well-being is high among employees in Turkey and China, those in Japan are struggling.

Where in the world? The survey examined burnout and holistic health—defined as encompassing “physical, mental, social, and spiritual health”—and found that the majority of workers have positive holistic health, and those with higher holistic health generally perform better and are more creative at work. Workers in Japan appeared to have the poorest holistic health, with just 25% reporting being in good holistic health, compared to Turkey, the healthiest, where 78% of employees reported the same.

Globally, 22% of respondents reported experiencing burnout, and 23% report having “mental distance,” or strong aversion or reluctance to work.

Workers who report both high burnout and low holistic health are more likely to struggle with work demands. McKinsey categorizes these workers as “drowning,” and Saudi Arabia and Chile have the highest number of people (24% each) who fit this description.

Employees who report low burnout and high holistic health, meanwhile, are categorized by McKinsey at “faring well.” China and Turkey have the highest number of people (67% each) in this group. Japan ranks lowest, and just 22% report faring well.

Employers that address workers’ holistic health may be able to help reduce burnout rates, according to the report. Furthermore, “employees who have strong holistic health may want to—and are better able to—work longer, which will be important for how employers approach an aging workforce.”