Anxiety and depression are among the primary reasons Brazilian workers were absent from their jobs in 2025 [1, 2].
This trend highlights a growing crisis in occupational health that impacts both national productivity and the public social security system. As mental health struggles lead to longer periods of incapacity, the financial burden on the state and employers continues to climb.
Data indicates that mental disorders ranked as the fourth leading cause of work absence in 2025 [1], while depression specifically ranked sixth [1]. Other reports suggest that anxiety and depression have become the largest overall causes of such absences in Brazil [2].
The scale of the issue has grown rapidly. Absences due to mental health disorders increased by approximately 80% between 2023 and 2025 [3]. In 2023, there were 219,000 recorded absences related to mental health [3]. By 2025, the number of affected workers rose, though estimates vary by source. One report cited approximately 400,000 workers [4], while another estimate placed the figure at more than 546,000 [5].
These absences typically occur when a disorder causes incapacity for more than 15 days [2]. In such cases, the National Social Security Institute (INSS) recognizes the right to sickness benefits [2].
The financial impact is substantial. Between 2023 and 2025, mental-health related absences cost R$ 954 million [3]. This local trend mirrors a global crisis; the World Health Organization notes that depression and anxiety generate global economic losses of US$ 1 trillion [6].
Brazilian workers continue to face high rates of burnout and stress, factors that contribute to the high volume of INSS claims and long-term departures from the workforce [5].
“Absences due to mental health disorders increased by approximately 80% between 2023 and 2025.”
The sharp rise in mental-health-related absences in Brazil indicates a systemic failure in workplace wellness and a growing reliance on the INSS for disability support. The discrepancy in worker numbers suggests a volatile environment where burnout is accelerating faster than official tracking can keep up. This shift transforms mental health from a private medical concern into a significant macroeconomic risk for Brazil.
