One in two executives in distress: the burden of administrative stress and economic uncertainties

While 1 in 2 leaders has faced psychological suffering, this 2026 edition provides an analysis of the link between their mental health and their role as leaders.

In good health but more numerous to suffer from disorders: leaders demonstrate their resilience

When asked about their health, a large majority of executives (88%) reported being generally in good health. This rate has been improving year after year, gaining 10 points in the last 10 years. However, the reality is more nuanced, as 85% of these same respondents reported experiencing at least one health problem, a figure that has increased significantly over the last 5 years (+26 points compared to 2021).

Having been in their position for over 5 years, managing their own business: a typical profile is emerging among struggling entrepreneurs

Among the 12% of executives reporting poor general health, several profiles are overrepresented compared to the overall sample:

• 1 in 4 (24%) work in construction, while this activity represents 15% of all respondents;
• 74% are managers or responsible for the activity (vs. 60% among managers overall);
• 58% hold a share of the company's capital (vs. 42% overall);
• 85% have been managing the business for more than 5 years (vs. 76% overall).

1 in 2 executives have already faced mental health problems, regardless of their profile

With 76% of entrepreneurs reporting good psychological health, this year marks a return to levels observed since the end of the health crisis. Year-on-year, this figure has increased significantly (+9 points), after reaching its lowest point (67%) in 2025.

But with 24% of people experiencing distress and 27% admitting to having experienced it in the past, 1 in 2 managers (51%) is or has been confronted with psychological difficulties. In this respect, all profiles are affected, regardless of age, activity, position, or seniority.

1 in 2 business leaders experience exhaustion, muscle tension, or sleep disorders

Half of the women and men surveyed reported experiencing exhaustion or muscle tension. Almost as many (49%) mentioned sleep problems. Next were anxiety disorders (43%), discouragement and loss of motivation (41%), and feelings of anger and irritability (39%).

Sleep disorders correlated with greater exposure to daily difficulties

Sleep-deprived executives generally experience daily difficulties (health, relationships, or business management) more acutely. Some of these difficulties are significantly more pronounced:

• 38% are in poor psychological health (vs. 24% overall)
• 63% suffer from anxiety disorders (vs. 43% overall)
• 75% face administrative stress (vs. 64% on average)
• 67% are overworked (vs. 55% on average)
• Fewer people believe their company is developing well: 65% vs. 73%

Behind the psychological distress, there are fewer good practices and more uncertainties.

This 2026 edition examines the patterns associated with mental health disorders. It reveals, first of all, that people with poor mental health have more difficulty adopting the "right reflexes" to protect themselves:

• It is more difficult to protect their work/life balance: 53% compared to 73% among all managers (-20 points).
• Less disconnection from digital tools: 38% vs. 53% (-15 points).
• And less regular sporting activity: 56% vs. 67% (-11 points).

The study also tends to demonstrate their greater exposure to uncertainty and isolation:

• 51% believe their company is developing well vs. 73% (-22 points)
• Fewer people say they feel supported by their team: 68% vs. 77% (-9 pts)
• And they feel less cohesion with their associates: 37% vs. 44% (-7 pts)

Administrative stress is by far the primary source of daily difficulties for all decision-makers.

When surveyed about the difficulties they encounter on a daily basis, 64% of decision-makers cited the regulatory and administrative burden they face. This was followed by excessive workload (cited by 55%) and economic uncertainty (54%).

Leaders in poor psychological health generally feel the difficulties of daily life more acutely, and in particular those relating to economic issues: uncertainties (+22 pts vs. all leaders), anxiety-inducing climate / lack of visibility (+34 pts), economic difficulties of the company (+23 pts).

Mental workload, lack of sleep, hyper-connectivity: executives caught in a "spiral"

Almost all business leaders in poor mental health report direct repercussions on their lives, while minimizing the professional consequences.

To improve their situation, 1 in 3 executives would consider stopping their business.

When asked about solutions that could help them feel better, a third (34%) of executives experiencing psychological distress would consider stopping their work. However, a majority favored solutions to improve their quality of life: playing sports (cited by 65%), improving their work-life balance and sleep (57%), or disconnecting more often (56%).

According to Sylvie Bonello, General Delegate of the Foundation: “The malaise experienced by executives is far from an isolated phenomenon and affects all profiles, regardless of age, professional background, or seniority. The study confirms how much administrative stress and lack of sleep weigh on their quality of life. Through our meetings in various regions, we observe that executives are gradually opening up to discuss their malaise, but support is still far from being a reflex: only 28% of respondents are receiving or want to receive help. We must combat the scourge of isolation among executives, which delays the implementation of solutions for lasting improvement.”

In construction:

• 81% of the sector's leaders say they are in good health, -7 points vs. 88% on average.
• 68% say they are in good psychological condition: a level significantly below the national average (-8 pts vs. 76% on average).
• 93% experience at least one health problem, which is +8 points vs. 85% on average. Muscle tension (61% vs 50% on average), sleep disorders (56% vs 49% on average) and discouragement, loss of motivation (52% vs 41% on average) predominate in the sector.
• In this sector, one lever of good mental health falls particularly: the fact that their company is developing well (66% or -7 pts vs. 73% on average).
• 93% of bosses in the sector (close to the national trend) encounter at least one difficulty in their daily operations. An anxiety-inducing climate (52%, or +12 points vs. 40% on average), difficult HR management (48% vs. 38% on average) and a drop in orders (48% vs. 34% on average) are the most frequently cited.

Methodology

Study carried out by Ifop for the MMA Foundation of Entrepreneurs of the Future with a sample of 1000 leaders of VSEs, SMEs and ETIs (CEOs, managers, partners, general managers, members of the executive committee).

Telephone survey conducted from February 17 to March 5, 2026. The representativeness of the sample is ensured on the basis of quotas representative of companies with more than 1 employee, in terms of sector, size, geographical dispersion.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.