MISCO’s Employee Well-being at the Workplace 2025 survey reveals that 88% of Malta’s employees report poor mental wellness due to work at some point during their careers.

The figure has increased by 10% from two years ago which underscores the scale and persistence of mental health challenges in the modern workplace. Despite recent progress in awareness and support, the findings confirm that work-related stress, pressure, and emotional strain remain deeply entrenched in Maltese organisational life.

This study was conducted in partnership with the Malta Employers Association and gathered insights from 479 employed individuals across a range of sector.

Of these 479 employees, 70% feel positive about their mental well-being which is an increase from 2024’s 62%. This statistic saw the assessment returning to levels that were not seen since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This year’s findings are encouraging in many respects. Employees are showing greater emotional resilience, and employers are responding with more initiatives that support well-being,” said Joanne Bondin, Director at MISCO. “But the data also makes it clear that workplace stress remains pervasive, and that emotional and psychological wellness still needs to be prioritised at the strategic level.”

Despite improvements, stress at work remains a stubborn reality. 57% of employees say they often find their job stressful, up from 50% last year, and a further 9% report feeling constantly stressed. Heavy workloads (43%), relentless pressure (42%), and tight deadlines (41%) continue to top the list of stressors.

The survey also confirms that working hours are on the rise, with 57% of respondents now clocking over 40 hours a week.

“Employees are finding it increasingly difficult to switch off, and this is taking a toll on their emotional and physical health. In fact 61% of respondents do not actively make time to unwind from work, often because they feel they cannot afford to, or because doing so is not culturally encouraged,” said Ms Bondin.

With improvements in indicators like energy levels, the negative emotions remain a concern. “The rise in confidence and energy levels is a positive signal,” adds Ms Bondin, “but it must not mask the fact that many employees still feel isolated or emotionally strained. It is important for organisations to build cultures that are not just productive, but also human-centred.”