Boreout, or "burnout's lesser-known cousin," is a psychological condition characterized by a state of profound boredom, dissatisfaction, and under-stimulation at work. It occurs when individuals face long periods of time with insufficient or monotonous tasks that fail to engage their skills and interests. Boreout often emerges in workplaces that lack challenging assignments, opportunities for growth, or a stimulating work environment. The resulting lack of motivation and engagement can lead to feelings of frustration, apathy, and disengagement, which can negatively impact an individual's well-being and performance.

Prevalence of boreout is hard to measure but it is estimated that in people with higher education (at least a bachelor's degree) the number is 16%. This number increases in function of education; however, the largest risk factor of boreout pertains to working below their highest achieved education: in a survey involving more than 200 completed questionnaires, 43% of people who reported being overqualified for their job had proclivities to boreout (Alun Roberts, 2022)

Boreout test