 region, with 69 percent of employees reporting high stress levels, while workforce engagement dropped to 10 percent in 2025 from 12 percent in previous years, according to Gallup's 2025 Global Workplace Report.){kind=link}
Turkey ranks first for workplace stress in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with 69 percent of employees reporting high stress levels, while workforce engagement dropped to 10 percent in 2025 from 12 percent in previous years, according to Gallup’s 2025 Global Workplace Report.
The findings show that Turkish workers experience stress levels significantly higher than the MENA regional average of 48 percent and the global average of 40 percent.
Emotional strain among employees in Turkey is further reflected in daily experiences, with 40 percent of workers reporting daily anger and 30 percent experiencing sadness — both exceeding regional benchmarks.
Gallup’s 2025 Global Workplace Report, based on surveys conducted across more than 140 countries with approximately 150,000 full and part-time workers, provides insights into global workplace trends, including conditions in Turkey.
Turkey’s workforce engagement rate of 10 percent remains below the MENA regional average of 14 percent and the global average of 21 percent.
While the report does not specify the reasons behind Turkey’s elevated stress levels, independent observers often cite economic volatility, high inflation and labor market instability as likely contributing factors.
The rising cost of living and broader societal pressures may also influence employees’ emotional states and job satisfaction in Turkey.
Gallup’s research points out that declining employee engagement is closely linked to lower productivity, weaker business outcomes and broader economic risks.
If unaddressed, these challenges could have long-term implications for both organizational resilience and national economic performance.
The decline in engagement is not limited to Turkey. Globally, employee engagement fell from 23 percent to 21 percent over the past year, mirroring the drops seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gallup estimates that reduced engagement resulted in an economic loss of approximately $438 billion in 2024.
In addition to high stress levels and low engagement, Turkish workers express significant pessimism about job market prospects.
Only 25 percent believe it is a good time to find a new job, compared to the regional average of 34 percent across MENA.
Moreover, 52 percent of Turkish employees report actively seeking new employment opportunities, indicating widespread dissatisfaction with current working conditions.
Employee well-being metrics across the MENA region further emphasize these challenges. Only 25 percent of workers are classified as “thriving,” compared to 33 percent globally. Meanwhile, 61 percent are “struggling,” and 14 percent are “suffering,” both higher than global averages.
The report stresses the importance of fostering a better workplace environment to enhance employee well-being.
For Turkey, efforts to improve worker engagement and reduce stress may support not only individual quality of life but also contribute to broader economic stability over the long term.