41 Eye-Opening Stress Statistics & Facts for 2024

Nowadays, it seems that stress and anxiety are simply part and parcel of everyday life. Whether it’s work, relationships, or politics, we’re under constant pressure. And when you couple that with the bombardment of information, you get a mental health epidemic.

This epidemic has led to an increase in awareness of just how much stress affects our lives. Relevant stress statistics are clear—almost everybody deals with stress at one point, and if left unaddressed, it can lead to health complications.

Top 10 Stress Statistics for 2024

Compelling Stress Facts and Stats

Stress is one of the body’s hormonal responses, and it’s more prevalent in women than men. Moreover, it can overload your body with too much worry, and you may feel jittery and hot. It may also cause digestive problems.

Thankfully, there are stress-relieving techniques you could look into—using CBD oils, doing deep breathing exercises, relaxing to music, etc. Read the section below for more information.

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1. 26% of UK study participants have shown increased stress, anxiety, and great sadness since COVID-19.

(Statista)

Based on stress statistics worldwide from 2020, Brits and Americans reported the most stress, anxiety, and great sadness—26% and 33%, respectively. Additionally, 26% of Canadians, 24% of French, and 23% of Australians have reported the mental health issues listed above.

2. The most common symptoms of stress include irritability, frustration, and moodiness. 

(WebMD)

Stress awareness facts emphasize that stress is a serious issue. Some of the most common stress symptoms are feeling overwhelmed and having low-self esteem. You are also likely to have headaches, chest pain, insomnia, and low energy. All of these affect our day-to-day life.

3. Stress can, to a certain extent, positively influence physical activity. 

(NCBI) (Very Well Mind)

Facts about stress point to a concept known as eustress, a type of “good stress,” which positively impacts our lives.

Of all research papers analyzing the relationship between stress and exercise, 18.2% noted a positive correlation. It can be attributed to increased motivation, as well as people working out to deal with stress. In other words, the more stress they have, the greater the urge to exercise, as per exercise and stress facts.

4. Around 77% of employees experience physical effects of stress.

(Safety Management)

Many people feel the effects of stress at work. Of them, 73% experience psychological symptoms, as per stats on stress. Moreover, 26% of employees are frequently burned out or stressed at work. Another 29% report that their jobs are very stressful, and 25% find their jobs to be the leading causes of stress.

5. Burnout is recognized as a chronic condition by the World Health Organization.

(WHO)

Stress-related burnout isn’t just an excuse to miss work. Stats about stress in the workplace show that its effects are severe. More specifically, burnout is characterized by exhaustion, a negative attitude towards one’s job, and a sense of unproductiveness.

6. China has seen the highest rise in workplace stress—86%.

(GOFS)

Stress statistics worldwide show that its prevalence has risen dramatically across businesses. Astoundingly, employees of larger companies are almost twice as likely to suffer from stress, costing the economy billions of dollars in health-related problems and lost productivity.

7. Money and work were the most common and significant stressors in 2015.

(APA)

More specifically, money is a source of stress for 67% of the respondents in the APA research. Work is right behind, with 65% of those affected, statistics on stress disclose. Another finding highlights that adults are likely to find personal health concerns, the economy, family responsibilities, and health problems affecting the family stressful.

8. 48% of people in the US report having sleep issues caused by stress.

(The Recovery Village)

Stress rates in America are getting worse for around 50% of the population. In fact, approximately 75% of people in the US reported experiencing moderate to high stress levels in the past month.

9. Family causes of stress include adding a new family member, as per interesting facts about stress.

(Better Help)

While exciting, adding a new member means adjusting them to your family, so you can see how it can become stressful, too. Further research on family stress shows that the other leading causes of stress are finances, health, marriage and relationship problems, moving, and death.

10. Of the people who suffered a major stressful event, 43% report that the event was health-related.

(Media)

According to a Harvard School of Public Health poll, many people are worried about their health. Stress stats are clear—more than four in ten people claim that health issues increase their stress levels. Furthermore, 27% of the respondents cited illness as a major stressful event. Another 16% deemed the death of their loved one as most stressful.

11. 80% of millennials are stressed about money, millennials stress statistics show.

(APA)

Millennials, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers are all mostly stressed about money. Work-related stress occurs in 72% of Millennials, 77% of Gen Xers, and 64% of Baby Boomers. At the same time, Millennials are less stressed by the economy, unlike other generations. As for relationships, they are deemed problematic by Millennials and Gen Xers.

12. 35% of single parents have high levels of stress.

(HSPH)

Additionally, 45% of people with disabilities show high stress levels, according to stress statistics. Stress is also commonly found in 36% of people in dangerous work situations, 36% of people with chronic illnesses, 34% of teens’ parents, and 36% of low-income individuals.

13. As of 2018, Greece topped the list of most stressed countries. 

(Statista)

Stress statistics worldwide released in 2019 unveiled the list of the most stressed countries in 2018. Greece ranked first, with an astounding 59% of respondents experiencing a lot of stress the day before the survey. Other countries with the highest share of stressed respondents include the Philippines (58%), Tanzania (57%), Albania (55%), Sri Lanka (55%), the US (55%), Iran (55%), Uganda (53%), Costa Rica (52%), and Rwanda (52%).

Stress in America Statistics

About 5% of people in the US feel stressed throughout the day. What’s more, they rate the intensity of their stress at 4.9 on a scale from one to ten. Read on to learn about the demographics of stress in the US.

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14. The lowest stress levels are recorded in adults older than 72.

(APA)

Even though their stress levels are still higher than they should be, older adults suffer from stress the least, with an average stress level of 3.3 on the APA’s 10-point stress scale. Millennials, on the other hand, have the highest stress levels, based on statistics about stress.

15. Millennials have stress levels at an average of 5.7 on a 10-point scale.

(Mental Floss)

Millennials’ stress statistics from the APA’s Stress in America report point to high stress levels in this group. As for other generations, the stress levels of Baby Boomers are at 5.0, and the stress levels of older Americans are at 4.1 on a scale from one to ten.

16. As of 2017, about 69% of Hispanic Americans were wary of the country’s future.

(APA)

According to the stress facts and statistics, Hispanic Americans were most concerned. White people seemed to be less wary—61%. At the same time, an overwhelming 71% of Blacks claimed that it was the lowest point in the country’s history.

17. About 14% of US citizens exercise regularly in order to handle stress.

(ADAA)

Exercise and stress statistics show that 29% of those who resort to positive habits walk, 20% run, and 11% do yoga. Some other stress-reducing strategies include talking to family and friends, sleeping, eating, listening to music, or watching movies or TV.

18. Around 14% of Americans smoke to cope with stress. 

(APA) (Mental Health)

Quite a number of people turn to smoking to reduce stress and relieve anxiety. That said, stress management facts uncover that smoking increases tension and anxiety on top of affecting one’s cardiovascular system and lungs.

19. Negative feelings about one’s appearance caused a great deal of stress for 28% of survey respondents.

(Media)

Stress statistics gathered through a survey carried out by the Harvard School of Public Health present some alarming results. Of all respondents, 32% cited problems with family members as their source of stress. What’s more, 53% of those working reported dealing with work-related stress.

20. Stress costs American employers around $300 billion per year, as per statistics on stress and health.

(Eastern Kentucky University)

As a matter of fact, employers from all over the country report bearing significant expenses due to stress. These include health care costs and costs due to employee absenteeism and reduced productivity.

21. Women are more stressed when it comes to hate crimes, wars, and conflicts with other nations.

(APA)

One of the most interesting facts about stress is that the stressors tend to vary depending on one’s gender, too. For example, 25% of men are stressed about wars, hate crimes, and conflicts with other countries; meanwhile, the same issues cause stress in 36%–37% of women.

22. 83% of Americans are worried about the future of the nation.

(APA)

More than eight in ten US citizens have these worries, based on the APA’s most recent survey. What’s more, more than seven in ten people in the US, or 72% of its population, claimed it [2020] was the lowest point in the country’s history.

23. Around 7% of people will have PTSD at some point in their lives.

(PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder facts confirm that about 8 million adults have PTSD in a given year. Furthermore, approximately 10% of women and 4% of men develop PTSD at some point.

24. Nearly 25% of people report feeling extreme stress during the holidays.

(Clarity Clinic)

Stress facts suggest that instead of relaxing, people obsess over a lack of time or money, giving or getting gifts, family drama, traveling with children, taking time off work, or loss (a reminder of their loved ones who can’t be there).

25. 64% of households with a health care worker experienced at least one adverse effect on their wellbeing due to the pandemic.

(KFF)

They have experienced at least one adverse impact, such as increased alcohol consumption or substance use, worsened chronic conditions, or difficulty sleeping or eating. Additionally, frontline health care workers have reported depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide during the pandemic.

College Students Stress Statistics

Paying tuition fees, taking exams, applying for internships, and working part-time jobs—college students tend to cope with a lot of stress. According to facts about stress in college students, over 35% of American students blame stress for their bad academic performance in the past year. Keep reading to learn more.

26. 80% of college students frequently or sometimes feel daily stress.

(Affordable Colleges Online)

The long-term effects of stress can be severe, causing health issues and affecting every part of your life. Given that, students should learn how to identify and manage stress in a healthy way.

27. One in five college students has thought about suicide. 

(Very Well Mind)

When it comes to college students and stress, statistics have proven that stress affects their mental health. In fact, around 20% of college students have had suicidal thoughts, and 9% have made a suicide attempt. What’s more, the stress in college students statistics show that 20% of college students reported self-injury. On top of that, one in four is diagnosed with a mental illness.

28. There was a 30% rise in students seeking help at counseling centers in 2009–2015.

(Stress)

Student stress statistics reveal that more students are seeking help. Perhaps, it can be attributed to the success of public education campaigns, their efforts to identify students at risk and refer them to counseling.

29. One-third of transgender students have attempted suicide, college stress statistics disclose. 

(Harvard Medical School)

Moreover, almost 70% of transgender people report self-injury. Overall, stress-related illnesses statistics find that the rates concerning mental health symptoms are higher than those in the past.

30. 45% of college students seek counseling and help to handle stress.

(Stress) (We Are More)

Stress statistics in college students have shown that 49% of students seek counseling for depression, and 61% look for help for their anxiety. Also, about 28% of students need counseling for academic performance, 27% seek it for relationship problems, and 31%—for family issues. Fortunately, there are now online therapy sites, too, making it easy to find the help you need.

Teen Stress Statistics

Most, if not all, teenagers have been stressed at some point. That said, a lot of teens have high stress levels. Some of their primary stressors are school demands. Read on to learn more.

31. Around 70% of students are often or always stressed about schoolwork.

(Healthline)

It’s no secret that teenagers find school overwhelming. Homework stress statistics show that somewhere around 56% of students cite homework as their primary stressor. In fact, less than 1% said homework was not a source of stress.

32. Teenage stress statistics imply that 83% of teenagers cite school as their primary stressor.

(Psycom)

Moreover, 69% of teenagers are stressed about deciding what to do after high school and getting into a good college. Also, around 65% of them have financial concerns for their family. All in all, stress and illness facts suggest that teenagers underestimate the impact that stress has on their mental and physical health.

33. 32% of teenagers are less stressed after exercising. 

(TCA)

Of the many ways to cope with stress, exercise is pretty effective for teenagers, based on teenage stress facts. In other words, data shows that teenagers who exercise at least once per week have lower stress levels than those who exercise less or not at all. Moreover, 53% feel good after exercising, and 40% report it puts them in a good mood.

34. 61% of teenagers are stressed about getting good grades, based on high school stress statistics. 

(Pew Research Center)

Teenagers have other worries, too. Namely, 29% of them are stressed about looking good, and 28%—about fitting in socially. On top of that, one in five teenagers is pressured to partake in extracurricular activities.

35. Teenagers report a stress level of 5.8 out of 10 during the school year.

(Insider)

As we can see from these high school student stress statistics, teen years can be pretty stressful. In fact, approximately 30% of teenagers feel sad or depressed due to stress. Stress management facts suggest that teens may need to practice mindfulness—intentionally focusing on one thing at a time.

36. Teens face new challenges due to the ongoing pandemic.

(Insider)

Namely, teens had to switch to online learning, which brought about even more stress. First, teenagers are forced to acquire all the physical supplies needed for e-learning. Second, they experience a lack of resources necessary to fight off stress and develop emotional strength during these times.

37. 39% of teenagers overeat or eat too little because of stress, student stress statistics show.

(Eating Recovery Center)

Around 25% of children aged 10–14 report having these problems. Be that as it may, statistics about stress in students confirm that only 28% of parents realize that their childrens’ stress has increased, and as little as 8% of parents are aware of their kids’ eating problems.

Vital Workplace Stress Statistics

Anyone who’s ever worked has been stressed at some point. It has been found that financial concerns and changes in the economy cause most of the pressure at work. Let’s discover more from the following section.

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Source: The American Institute of Stress

38. Six in ten workers worldwide experience stress, according to global stress statistics from 2020.

(GOFS)

Stress seems to be part and parcel of any workplace. About 80% of workers are stressed at work, and almost half report they need help managing their stress.  According to stress management statistics, another 42% report that their co-workers need that kind of help.

39. 35% of survey participants claimed their boss was the core source of stress in the office.

(Korn Ferry Institute)

That means that over a third of workplaces have employee-employer relations that ask for some improvement. Work-related stress statistics disclose that 66% of those surveyed reported losing sleep over work-related stress, 76% said pressure hurt their relationships, and around 16% reported they had quit their job because of stress.

40. For 79% of employees, not having enough work creates more stress than having too much. 

(Korn Ferry Institute)

Stress in the workplace statistics reveal that around 74% of employees would take on more work if they got paid more instead of cutting back on their work and receiving less compensation. In other words, lowering a person’s workload may not reduce their stress.

41. Employee stress levels have increased by 20% in the last three decades.

(Korn Ferry Institute)

Stress levels are on the rise, as the workplace is by its very nature a complex environment. According to stress facts, some of the reasons are the pressure of learning new skills and the threat of losing a job to technology.

Conclusion

Stress statistics make it clear that young people are affected by stress the most, and while we can take some comfort in the fact that stress reduces with age, something still needs to be done. Unfortunately, things are not looking good, and they won’t improve until systemic changes are made.

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About the Author

Aleksandar Hrubenja

Good content writing is based on proper research and a thorough understanding of the English language. For as long as he can remember, Aleksandar has been passionate about languages. Writing articles covering a variety of subjects like fitness, health, and self-improvement, as well as lighter ones like geekdom and pets, he prides himself on being able to tackle any topic you throw at him. With a degree in English literature and linguistics, and years of experience in content writing and research work, he looks forward to every new writing challenge.

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