Burnout is a widespread issue that spans the globe and affects up to 42% of the workforce worldwide. In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, the issue of work-life balance and employee burnout has gained significant attention – it’s bad news for individuals, teams, and employers.
To find out more, we researched the global hotspots for burnout, and where teams feel more relaxed and less stressed. We’ve highlighted the ten cities where burnout is common by analysing monthly searches for burnout by city and average hours worked. Both these scores have been combined and weighted to get our final ranking.
Where are the world’s most overworked cities?
The data reveals that some cities have higher levels of work-related stress and longer work hours, while others provide a better balance between work and personal life.
Madrid tops the list as the most overworked city, known for its fast-paced work culture and high searches for burnout and hours worked. Some of the country’s biggest accounting firms have been in the news this year after bad publicity surfaced around working conditions, with employees allegedly working more than 12 hours daily. The government has also previously put rules in place to combat overworking, requiring companies to register team members working hours, but this has done little to curb the issue.
Two US states follow closely behind, with Austin and Seattle in the world’s top three most overworked cities. Austin has been called one of the most overworked places in the country, while Seattle was once named among the top 10 most burned-out cities in the US.
Most overworked cities in the world
The top 10 cities where overwork and burnout are highest span almost every continent, showing that it isn’t restricted to just one part of the world.
Rank | City | Average monthly searches per 100,000 people for ‘Burnout’ | Average number of hours per workweek |
1 | Madrid | 167 | 32 |
2 | Austin | 57 | 34 |
3 | Seattle | 65 | 34 |
4 | Lisbon | 349 | 32 |
5 | Milan | 314 | 32 |
6 | Atlanta | 78 | 34 |
7 | Brooklyn | 88 | 34 |
8 | Dublin | 112 | 34 |
9 | Salt Lake City | 240 | 34 |
10 | Mexico City | 72 | 41 |
Where do people have the best work-life balance?
The data also highlights the cities that appear to offer a more relaxed and balanced work environment. This suggests that employees and teams are less likely to experience burnout and less likely to search for coping mechanisms to help them handle it.
Belfast tops the list as the least overworked city, with only 11 monthly searches for ‘Burnout’ per 100,000 people. Furthermore, individuals in Belfast work an average of 29 hours per week, indicating lower work-related stress and fewer hours spent on the job.
Several UK cities are spotlighted in the data, with Birmingham, Cardiff and Liverpool all in the top five.
These cities demonstrate a lower prevalence of burnout-related searches and shorter work weeks, suggesting a greater emphasis on work-life harmony.
If you’re looking to keep burnout low, head to these cities:
Least overworked cities in the world
Rank | City | Average monthly searches per 100,000 people for ‘Burnout’ | Average number of hours per workweek |
1 | Belfast | 11 | 29 |
2 | Birmingham | 24 | 29 |
3 | Cardiff | 28 | 29 |
4 | Liverpool | 30 | 29 |
5 | Tokyo | 5 | 31 |
6 | Exeter | 31 | 29 |
7 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 32 | 29 |
8 | London | 32 | 29 |
9 | Lyon | 36 | 29 |
10 | Glasgow | 35 | 29 |
What is burnout?
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. It’s a common problem among people who work in high-pressure environments or jobs that require long hours and intense focus. However, it can affect anyone, regardless of their job or lifestyle.
It can have serious consequences on an individual’s health, relationships, and quality of life. Burnout can lead to decreased accomplishment, reduced productivity, and a lack of motivation to continue working. It can also cause physical symptoms, such as headaches, sleep disturbances, fatigue and gastrointestinal problems.
People who are experiencing burnout may also have difficulty concentrating, and they may feel disengaged or disconnected from their work. It can also lead to serious mental health problems and contribute to low mood, irritability, hopelessness, and cynicism.
Tips to avoid burnout
Wherever you live and work, burnout can hit hard. Avoiding burnout is crucial for maintaining overall wellbeing and productivity. Here are some practical tips to help prevent burnout:
- Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life, and stick to them. Avoid working long hours or checking emails during off-hours.
- Take breaks: Take regular breaks throughout the day to rest your mind and recharge. Even a short walk or a few minutes of deep breathing can make a difference.
- Practice time management: Use time-management strategies, such as prioritising tasks and breaking them down into smaller, manageable pieces.
- Connect with others: Build strong connections with friends, family, and colleagues to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
- Seek support: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to seek support from a therapist or counsellor.
- Take care of your physical health: Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and engage in regular exercise to maintain physical health.
Incorporating these strategies into daily routines can help prevent burnout and maintain a healthy, balanced life. Your work environment is just as important for your wellbeing as where you are in the world, make sure that you choose the right workspace with Instant Offices.
Data for the most overworked cities
Google search volumes for burnout by location, with results rated and ranked based on population alongside data for global working hours.
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