U.S. Primary Care Physicians Face Highest Burnout Rates Among Developed Nations

Primary care physicians in the United States are burning out at rates higher than their peers in nine other developed nations, according to a November 2025 Commonwealth Fund study. The research surveyed 10,895 primary care physicians across the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The findings reveal a troubling pattern: 43% of U.S. primary care physicians report feeling burned out, with administrative tasks identified as the primary culprit.

The Commonwealth Fund’s International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians found that New Zealand and Canada tied for second place at 38% burnout rates, while the Netherlands reported the lowest rate at just 11%. Across all countries, most physicians are dissatisfied with the amount of time they spend on administrative tasks, with more than two of five primary care physicians in the U.S. reporting it as the primary reason for their burnout.

Paperwork Creates More Problems Than Patient Care

The study found that administrative burden drives physician dissatisfaction. Among U.S. primary care physicians reporting burnout, 44% cited administrative tasks as the primary cause. Switzerland led all nations with 65% of physicians naming administrative burden as problematic, followed by Germany at 50% and Canada at 45%. The U.S. ranked fourth at 44%.

The survey asked PCPs who feel burned out if they were somewhat or very dissatisfied with the time they spend on administrative work. No nation landed below 80%. Australia was lowest at 83%, Germany and New Zealand tied at 92%, and the United States was at 85%.

Working directly with patients ranked much lower in terms of burnout. Sweden had the most at 48%. Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland all topped the United States and Canada, which tied at 14%. For healthcare organizations looking to address workforce sustainability, understanding operational inefficiencies becomes critical to retention and quality of care.

Time Pressures and Patient Satisfaction

Patient time adds to the stress of burned-out physicians. The United Kingdom led with 86% of PCPs with burnout stating they were very or somewhat dissatisfied with the amount of time together. Canada was lowest at 37%, while the United States was at 54%.

Germany had notable patient volume pressures. In that country, 63% of PCPs with burnout spend an average of less than 15 minutes with patients per routine visit, and 78% see, on average, more than 150 patients during a typical work week. These time constraints affect the quality of care physicians can provide and contribute to feelings of exhaustion.

Feelings of value also contribute to burnout. In Australia, 36% of PCPs with burnout said they felt their work was not adequately valued, while 31% said the same in the United Kingdom. The other nations were at 20% or less, with 17% of United States physicians with burnout saying feeling undervalued contributed. For healthcare practices already facing staffing challenges, these findings highlight the importance of recognizing physician contributions.

Future Workforce Implications

PCPs with burnout are more likely to experience emotional distress and more likely to say they intend to leave the field in the near future, according to the report. Administrative burden, workload and moral distress all contribute to heightened feelings of exhaustion and burnout.

Repeated moral distress, heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, can lead to demoralization. Physicians who feel overwhelmed by bureaucracy and persistent inequities may also choose to leave the profession. As the industry faces ongoing staffing shortages and aging patient populations, addressing burnout becomes a strategic priority.

Data from 10 nations show that lower burnout rates are achievable. The Netherlands’ 11% rate demonstrates what happens when systems support clinicians rather than burden them with excessive administrative requirements.

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