Sabina Mammadova examines the global teacher burnout crisis—and why growing numbers are leaving the profession for good.
In the past few years, many teachers are feeling burned out and quitting their jobs. This has become a serious problem for schools all over the world. It affects teachers’ wellbeing and puts the quality of education for students at risk.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shared in their 2023 Education at a Glance report that nearly 20% of new teachers leave the profession within five years. The main reasons are burnout, too much work, and not enough support (OECD, 2023).
In the U.S., surveys suggest that around 44% of public school teachers were considering quitting within the next year, with burnout cited as the leading cause. This is much higher than in previous years and reflects the growing challenges in retaining teachers. (U.S. Department of Education, 2022).
Why Are Teachers Leaving?
"Social media also gives us a look into what teachers really feel"
There are many reasons, but some keep coming up:
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Too much work and very long hours, even outside of teaching time
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Low pay that doesn’t match the effort they put in
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Feeling emotionally drained, because teachers often have to handle students’ personal and mental health issues on top of academics
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Feeling like their work isn’t appreciated or respected
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Not enough help for their own mental health and wellbeing
A 2022 study from The Brookings Institution explains how all these things together create a perfect storm for teacher burnout. The pandemic made these problems even worse (Brookings Institution, 2022).
Social media also gives us a look into what teachers really feel. Many share why they quit, and it’s often not because of the students. Instead, they talk about toxic work environments, and having to do pointless extra tasks that management requires. Many feel unappreciated or treated badly by their management. On top of that, low salaries make it feel like their hard work isn’t recognized. These honest stories help us understand the human side behind the numbers.
This problem isn’t just in one country. The International Labour Organization (ILO) warned in 2023 that teacher shortages are growing all over the world. They say countries need to act fast to make teachers’ work lives better or face big shortages (ILO, 2023).
A recent comparison across European countries (Euronews, 2025) reveals an alarming disparity in housing affordability for teachers. The chart shows how many months’ worth of gross salary a teacher would need to buy a 100 m² home in each country. The findings, based on 2023 data, highlight both the financial challenges educators face and the sharp contrast in housing markets across Europe.
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Teachers in Hungary face the steepest barrier, needing 443 months — over 36 years — of salary to purchase a standard home. Slovakia (398 months — 33 years) and Czechia (383 months — almost 32 years) follow closely.
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In contrast, teachers in Ireland require only 106 months — just under 9 years — of salary, making it the most affordable country on the list for educators to buy property. Spain (112 months — 9 years 4 months), Netherlands (114 months — 9 years 6 months), and Belgium (120 months — 10 years) also rank as relatively more accessible markets.
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Western European nations like Germany (157 months — 13 years 1 month), France (230 months — 19 years 2 months), and the UK (175 months — 14 years 7 months) show moderate affordability but still represent significant commitments.
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The Nordic countries present a mixed picture: Denmark (126 months — 10 years 6 months) and Norway (192 months — 16 years) are more favorable than Finland (211 months — 17 years 7 months), suggesting policy differences may play a role beyond market prices alone.
The chart underscores two main forces at play:
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Low teacher salaries in Central and Eastern Europe.
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High housing prices in many countries, especially where housing markets have overheated.
Teachers, who play an important role in a country’s growth, are finding it harder and harder to afford buying a home in many places—especially in Eastern Europe, where their pay hasn’t grown as fast as housing prices.
Why It Matters:
Housing affordability directly affects the attractiveness of the teaching profession, teacher retention, and overall quality of education. Countries where teachers cannot afford housing may struggle with teacher shortages and demoralization—potentially creating long-term impacts on education systems.
What Needs to Change?
"If we want students to succeed, we must start by supporting and valuing the teachers who make it all possible."
Fixing this means making big changes, such as:
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Paying teachers more and giving them clearer career paths
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Offering better mental health support for teachers
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Building school environments that truly respect and support teachers
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Involve Teachers in Decision-Making
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Cutting down on paperwork and giving teachers smaller classes
The list of ways to support teachers could be much longer, but these are some key problems that can be addressed to create positive change. Teacher burnout and resignations are growing fast and need urgent attention from leaders and communities. If we want students to succeed, we must start by supporting and valuing the teachers who make it all possible.
References
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Euronews. "Can Teachers Afford to Buy a House in Europe and How Long Would It Take?" Euronews, 12 Apr. 2025, https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/04/12/can-teachers-afford-to-buy-a-house-in-europe-and-how-long-would-it-take.
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International Labour Organization (ILO). (2023). The Future of Work in Education: Teacher Wellbeing and Retention.
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Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2023). Education at a Glance 2023.
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The Brookings Institution. (2022). Teacher Burnout and the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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U.S. Department of Education. (2022). Teacher Retention and Resignation Data.
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