The overall quality of work index reached its lowest level in more than ten years, reflecting a continuous deterioration in working conditions.
Staff shortages, overwork and psychological pressure are exposing an increasing number of employees to high risks for their mental health.
The results of the study highlight the urgent need for structural actions to maintain the attractiveness and sustainability of the Luxembourg labour market.
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The 2025 edition of Quality of Work Index is based on a large-scale survey aimed at measuring the quality of work and the well-being of employees in Luxembourg. Carried out by the Chamber of Employees (CSL) in collaboration with the University of Luxembourg, this study is based on the responses of more than 3,100 employees, from the private and public sectors, residents and cross-border workers.
Its objective is to assess the evolution of working conditions across several key dimensions, such as job security, autonomy, workload, participation in decisions, mental health and work-life balance.
A reference tool for more than ten years, the Quality of Work Index makes it possible to identify fundamental trends in the Luxembourg labour market and to inform public debate based on solid empirical data.
Here is a summary of the main lessons of the 2025 edition in 5 key figures:
The 2025 edition of Quality of Work Index, published every year by the Chamber of Employees (CSL) in collaboration with the University of Luxembourg, shows that The global index measuring the quality of work and the well-being of employees in Luxembourg reached 53.4 points out of 100, which is the lowest level since the series began in 2013. This continued decline reflects a deterioration of working conditions received by employees and public officials, residents and cross-border workers.
This freefall score is explained in particular by a set of aggravating factors : reduced job security, limited participation in decision-making and reduced ability to access continuing education. The president of the CSL, Nora Back, emphasized that this trend should alert both policy makers and employers to the real state of professional well-being in the Grand Duchy.
According to the study, 61% of workers consider that their activity is impacted by the shortage of personnel, an impact that has lasted for more than 18 months for 42% of them. This lack of workforce leads to overwork, overtime, and increased pressure on those who stay on duty.
This situation highlights a vicious circle: the shortage forces employees to do more to make up for vacancies, which fuels the malaise and encourages some to consider leaving. In the most affected sectors, such as health, social welfare, trade or transport, increased working conditions contribute to increasing physical and psychological fatigue.
Among the mental health indicators emerging from the study Quality of Work Index 2025, 36% of employees are now exposed to a medium to high risk of burn-out. This figure, which has increased significantly compared to previous years, is part of a global trend of deterioration of protective resources at work, such as organizational support or flexibility.
The increase in the risk of burnout is linked to higher emotional and physical demands, deadline pressure, and labour market uncertainty. This context thus accentuates the symptoms of stress and affects in particular women, young employees and those working in sectors under stress.
The study shows that approximately 15% of respondents are at high risk of depression, a figure that has more than doubled in 10 years. This data illustrates how the deterioration of well-being at work is not limited to productivity or job satisfaction but affects essential aspects of the mental health of employees.
In addition to psychological risks, other negative health indicators, such as sleep disorders or chronic physical pain, are also particularly present in workers' responses, underlining an increasing pressure on work-life balance.
One of the most worrying figures in the survey is the one according to which nearly 7% of employees say they had suicidal thoughts related to their professional situation. This rate, three times higher than a decade ago, is a strong signal about the urgency of addressing psychosocial aspects at work.
The report highlights that these severe disorders are more common in certain groups, in particular young adults and workers exposed to severe physical or emotional stresses. This observation highlights the importance of prevention strategies and psychological support in companies.
The results of the study Quality of Work Index draw up an unambiguous observation: the quality of work in Luxembourg is going through a critical phase. Behind economic indicators that are often favorable, The daily experience of employees reveals a more fragile reality, marked by a shortage of staff, the rise of psychosocial risks and a gradual loss of meaning at work.
These 5 key figures constitute as many warning signs for employers, social partners and public authorities. They recall that economic performance cannot be sustainable without real investment in working conditions, risk prevention and the mental health of employees.
For Luxembourg, the challenge goes beyond individual well-being: it is now a question of maintaining the resilience and attractiveness of its social and professional model.
