A recent international survey highlights that young adults in the United Kingdom are among the most likely to report mental health conditions that impact their work performance. The study, conducted by health insurer Vitality, surveyed over 9,200 employees across five countries to assess workplace health and its economic consequences.

According to the data, 36 percent of British respondents aged 18 to 28 reported a diagnosed mental health condition affecting their ability to work. This figure is notably higher than the rates reported in Germany (29 percent), Japan (21 percent), and Singapore (23 percent), with only the United States surpassing the UK at 48 percent within the same age group.

The report underscores that mental health issues in younger workers contrast with physical health problems, which tend to increase with age. Among British employees, only 8 percent of baby boomers aged in their sixties and seventies reported mental health conditions, compared to 36 percent of Generation Z and 28 percent of millennials. This disparity suggests mental health challenges are disproportionately affecting younger generations.

Dr. Katie Tryon, deputy chief executive of Vitality Health in the UK, emphasized the implications of these findings for workforce productivity. She noted that the impact goes beyond absenteeism, pointing out that even when young workers are physically present in the workplace, their productivity may be impaired due to mental distress.

The report also estimates that poor workforce health—including both mental and physical conditions—costs the British economy around £241 billion annually in lost output, equivalent to about 8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. These figures highlight the significant economic burden associated with employee health issues and the pressing need for improved mental health support in the workplace.