30 Worrying Stress Statistics You Have to Know in 2024
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Stress can involve emotional, mental, or physical tension or strain. And even though people typically perceive stress as something negative, there can also be positive aspects.
One of the common positive facts about stress, for instance, is that many have experienced increased productivity when under a mild and positive level of tension.
Either way, stress statistics are the best place to start looking into this issue more deeply.
Let’s dive right in.
Must-Know Stress Statistics
(Editor’s Pick)
- Just 45 minutes of artwork can lessen your stress.
- 73% of all Americans consider their finances as the top source of their stress.
- Between 60% and 80% of workplace accidents are a direct consequence of stress.
- 3.5% of adults in the United States currently have Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
- 26% of Brits and Canadians claim they’ve experienced more stress, anxiety, and great sadness since the coronavirus outbreak.
- Greece reported the highest level of stress – 59%.
- 32% of people believe exercise is an effective way to overcome stress, exercise and stress statistics show.
Fascinating Stress Facts and Statistics
To further understand this condition, it would be great to have a detailed look into the facts about stress.
1. 20% of stressed college students have suicidal thoughts.
(Very Well Mind)
The suicide rate among young people ages 15-24 has grown three times since the 1950s, becoming the second leading cause of college students’ deaths. Based on student stress statistics, one in five college students thought of committing suicide; 9% attempted doing it, while nearly 20% harmed themselves.
2. Holidays cause about 25% of people to feel extreme stress.
(Clarity Clinic)
Holidays are expected to be fun for most people – a time to relax and be with their loved ones. However, they also cause extreme stress levels for nearly 25% of individuals, holiday stress statistics claim.
Holiday-related stuff, such as the lack of money or time, buying gifts, issues with traveling, and the like, are possible sources of stress during holidays.
3. One in four caregivers claim their careers hit them emotionally.
(Sixty and Me)
The role of caregivers can be very exhausting as it affects their physical, emotional, and mental health. Studies show that caregivers experience increased anxiety, depression, and frustration.
Moreover, caregiver stress statistics reveal that one in four caregivers noted their caregiving role immensely affects them emotionally.
4. 85% of police officers display high operational stress levels.
(Frontiers in Psychology)
A study among 2,057 police officers from the National Portuguese Police has found that 85% of the surveyed police officers exhibited high operational stress levels. The police stress statistics also showed that 55% of the respondents are at risk of developing psychological disorders.
5. 74% of call center agents are at risk for burnout.
(Sharpen)
Call center agents have one of the most stressful jobs. According to call center stress statistics, 74% of call center agents are at risk for burnout.
This does not come as a surprise, given the nature of their work. They were trained to stay calm and patient while helping their customers of diverse backgrounds and personalities.
6. 88% of pet owners believe pets can reduce human stress levels.
(HABRI)
If you’re a pet lover, for sure, you’ll agree that pets reduce stress. Statistics show that 88% of pet owners consider their fur babies as stress relievers. Although these adorable creatures cannot comprehend the way humans do, some people prefer them as companions.
7. Just 45 minutes of artwork can lessen your stress.
(Very Well Mind)
This would come easy for those with talent in the arts. But what about those who don’t have it? Well, the statistics on how art relieves stress say that, regardless of your talent or experience level, doing creative works for just 45 minutes can reduce stress. Art comes in many forms, which means anyone can be creative in their own right.
8. Gen Z and Millennials are the most financially stressed employees.
(Best Money Moves)
According to the most recent financial stress statistics, a whopping 82% of Gen Z and 81% of Millennial employees admitted they’re most stressed about their finances. Possible factors that could contribute to this include having huge student debts and less amount of savings.
Statistics on Stress in America
9. 73% of all Americans consider their finances as the top source of their stress.
(Best Money Moves)
We’ve mentioned more than once throughout the article that money is a leading cause of stress among many. Now, here’s another proof of that. According to these stress statistics released in 2021, almost three-quarters of the American population ranked their finances as the greatest source of their stress.
10.The average stress level for American adults related to the COVID-19 pandemic is 5.9.
(APA)
Many stress statistics in 2020 highlighted the coronavirus pandemic as the main contributing factor to increased stress levels worldwide.
In the US, the average stress level for adult citizens concerning the pandemic reached 5.9, while the general average stress level was 5.4. This figure is considerably higher than the reported average stress level in 2019, amounting to 4.9.
11. 73% of Democrats noted the government response to the coronavirus pandemic as a significant source of stress.
(APA)
Different party lines are divided regarding the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a source of stress in America. Statistics released in 2020 disclosed that almost three-fourths of Democrats (73%) claim this is a significant stressor, while 63% of Republicans say the same.
12. Managing distance learning for their children was considered a significant stressor by more than 7 in 10 American parents.
(APA)
The latest American Psychological Association stress statistics reveal that more than 71% of parents are stressed about managing their children’s distance education. Without prior experience and enough orientation on this learning system, parents are expected to struggle with it.
13. Three out of four Americans experienced moderate to high levels of stress in the past month.
(The Recovery Village)
Stress in America statistics are clear:
Americans are experiencing more pressure than ever. Some of the most frequent causes include concerns about the economy, work, and money. Moreover, nearly half of all Americans display their stress levels are getting worse instead of better.
14. 25 to 113 people from Washington state get hospitalized due to heat stress each year.
(Washington State Department of Health)
Different heat-related illnesses affect individuals, especially during the summer or hot season. In Washington, for instance, heat stress statistics show that the number of hospitalized individuals due to heat-related conditions ranges from 25 to 113 per year. Almost half of these are elderly aged 65 or older.
15. 48% of Americans admit to lying awake at night due to stress.
(Stress)
It’s easy to write off many of the common symptoms of stress due to fatigue or harmless and minor mood swings.
But that would be a HUGE mistake!
The thing is:
Failing to recognize these symptoms early on can cause many other adverse effects down the road. In addition to losing sleep at night, another 54% of Americans admit that stress causes them to get into confrontations with people close to them, stress facts confirm.
And it doesn’t end there:
26% of Americans confess to experiencing alienation from family and friends because of stress.
Additionally, statistics on stress indicate that 44% of Americans also experience headaches as a physical symptom of anxiety, another 34% suffer from an upset stomach, and 23% struggle with a change in appetite.
Lastly, 15% admit to having changes in their sex drive.
16. Approximately only one-third of those experiencing stress daily ever visit a doctor.
(Everyday Health)
Stress-related health problems are becoming a severe issue for many Americans today. Even though 43% of participants in a study by Everyday Health’s United States of Stress Report state that stress invigorates them, they’re still in the minority.
Conversely, fear paralyzes the remaining 57% of respondents. Because it comes in many different forms, general stress can quickly worsen people’s pre-existing conditions or underlying health problems.
But there’s a difference across generations:
Mental health issues don’t pose a problem for 59% of Baby Boomers. In contrast, 52% of Gen Zers already have a history with a psychological issue of some sort.
Such stress facts genuinely say a lot about what stress can do and does to many people today, even though two-thirds of Americans opt not to visit a doctor to try to get help.
17. Between 60% and 80% of workplace accidents are a direct consequence of stress.
(Tiny Pulse)
Workplace stress statistics are fascinating to observe, as there’s a noticeable rise in workers’ compensation for incidents related to stress.
As it turns out, an astonishing 83% of workers in the US experience stress at their jobs.
American workers cite the following reasons as the leading causes of work stress:
- Being in the wrong field
- Lack of opportunities for professional development
- Lack of job security
- Poor work-life balance
- Too much work
- Low pay.
Moreover, stress causes a loss in productivity, which measures at a whopping $300 billion every year, according to statistics about stress.
18. 3.5% of adults in the United States currently have Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
(Recovery Village)
Post-traumatic stress disorder statistics reveal that, during a given year, the percentage of people in the US suffering from this issue is by no means negligible.
Both acute stress disorder or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) are severe mental disorders whose onset begins due to traumatic experiences.
When talking about life-threatening or severe stressors, some estimates put the number of people suffering from acute stress disorders at one-half of all those who come into contact with such stressors.
Stress Statistics Worldwide
19. 26% of Brits and Canadians claim they’ve experienced more stress, anxiety, and great sadness since the coronavirus outbreak.
(Statista)
The stress statistics worldwide for 2020 disclosed that people from the UK and Canada were the second most stressed and have experienced greater anxiety and sadness since the COVID-19 outbreak, each having a 26% share of the study sample.
On the other hand, more Americans tend to experience these conditions, as shown by 33% of their representatives.
20. 91% of Australians report feeling stressed during one or more critical parts of their lives.
(Recovery Village)
Unfortunately, global stress statistics reported in 2020 aren’t any better than those in the United States. Many different statistics confirm stress is a worldwide occurrence and a very significant problem that stretches far beyond any single country, region, or continent.
Check this out:
- Stress is a regular occurrence for 86% of Chinese workers.
- Approximately 450,000 workers in the UK believe they’re falling ill regularly due to daily stress.
- 60% of Japanese report feeling high to moderate stress daily, according to a report from Various.
- 40% of France’s population feels the same way, global stress stats reveal.
21. Greece reported the highest level of stress – 59%.
(Compare Camp)
Globally, Greeks are the most stressed-out people, reporting a 59% stress level based on stats about stress. This is more than 20 points higher than the global average of 35% and slightly higher than that of the US (55%).
22. 41% of highly stressed Canadians due to the COVID-19 pandemic reported an increase in alcohol consumption.
(Radio Canada International)
Many people resort to alcohol to relieve their stress. It’s not surprising then when more people who experience pandemic-related stress have increased alcohol consumption. For instance, stress statistics released in Canada indicate that more than 40% of Canadians who considered the pandemic a very stressful situation agreed they had increased alcohol consumption.
23. 74% of people have felt such a high level of stress that they could not cope and felt overwhelmed at some point in their life.
(Mental Health)
The long-term effects of stress are most certainly highly adverse.
Check this out:
According to an online poll by YouGov in the UK, 32% of participants admitted to having suicidal feelings and thoughts. An additional 16% of participants confessed they’re harming themselves at some point.
Additionally, the stats on stress revealed that 61% of participants experienced anxiety due to stress, with another 51% reporting depression as yet another direct consequence. As far as health problems caused by stress go, all of the previously mentioned are incredibly serious.
Interesting Facts About Stress
24. Money, work, and the economy are the top sources of stress.
(The Recovery Village)
Although money isn’t everything, it’s undeniable how important it is to human lives. We need money to buy food, pay bills, etc.
As such, we won’t be surprised to know from facts on stress that it’s on top of the list of stressors. The other two sources of stress – work and the economy – are closely related to it as both factors involve money.
25. Exercise is an effective way to overcome stress for 32% of people, according to exercise and stress statistics.
(Forth With Life)
We already spoke about some of the impacts of stress on health. But this kind of mental issue can hit you when you least expect it.
So, the most effective solution to battling stress begins by understanding how our bodies react to it.
For example, the body releases a hormone called cortisol whenever we perceive stress. The problem is that we begin to feel a very high level of fatigue if the release of this hormone starts happening too often.
How do we solve this problem?
There are different ways to deal with stress. Understanding and measuring our cortisol levels is the first step. Afterward, we need to make changes to our lifestyle.
For instance, many opt for endorphin-producing exercise. At the same time, exercise and stress facts suggest that exercising also positively affects our physical health, making this coping mechanism particularly useful.
26. 61% of stressed adults claimed they’re also anxious.
(Mental Health)
Stress and anxiety always go together, and both are detrimental to one’s health. Anxiety is one of the symptoms of stress. So when one is under a stressful situation, it’s highly likely that they’ll experience anxiety. Facts about stress and anxiety show that 61% of adults who are stressed also feel anxious.
27. Dubbed as the “silent killer,” stress can lead to many severe health conditions, including heart disease.
(Fact Retriever)
Stress awareness facts are always transparent about the seriousness of this condition. If not managed well, it can increase the risk of developing other health problems, including heart disease and hypertension.
28. Laughing helps lessen stress hormones.
(Fact Retriever)
They say that laughter is the best medicine, and this is immensely true in the case of stress. One of the fun facts about stress emphasizes that laughing can lessen stress hormones, such as cortisol, adrenaline, and epinephrine. Aside from that, it stimulates the release of health-enhancing hormones, strengthening the immune system.
29. While 69% of parents believe their stress has no or a slight impact on their children, only 14% of youngsters state their parents’ stress does not affect them.
(APA)
Statistics on teenage stress show an enormous disparity between what parents believe their stress levels do to their children and what their children perceive in turn.
Here’s the deal:
Trouble falling or staying asleep, stomach aches, and headaches are all direct consequences for a third of children experiencing stress on a daily level. To some extent, this sheds light on the increasing number of depressed teenagers.
It gets worse:
As normal-weight children worry comparably less than overweight ones, a third of the young respondents stated they were battling weight issues. The main problem with weight gain is that it is also among the top causes of stress worldwide.
The result? A vicious circle.
30. The most common response to stress for men and women alike (47% of respondents) is to take it out on themselves.
(Everyday Health)
Stress statistics by gender reveal quite a few similarities. Both men and women tend to turn to themselves when responding to stress.
However, while only 34% of men reveal that their weekly appearance stresses them out, women’s situation is quite different. 51% of women admit they feel about it.
Additionally, almost a third of women (28%) agree their appearance represents a regular source of stress. As far as stress rates go, it’s practically apparent our outer shell causes so much heat.
Conclusion
While positive stress can influence your life in the right way, the typical association with stress tends to be negative.
And with good reason:
Whichever way you look at it, stress is best when it’s only temporary. Your health can significantly deteriorate if you remain stressed for a long time.
To recognize the earliest symptoms and help yourself and those you care about, you should be fully aware of the latest stress trends, facts, and statistics.
This is important:
Don’t make the mistake of believing you’ll be able to eliminate stress from your life.
Instead, do your best to minimize it and develop healthy and productive mechanisms for dealing with stressful situations. Good luck!
FAQ
Based on a recent survey that highlights some stress facts for 2020, the average stress level of adults in the US is 5.4. The average figure has increased by five points compared to the previous year, which was 4.9. This growth signifies the first remarkable rise in the average stress level since 2007.
A report from the American Psychological Association states that extreme stress currently plagues nearly 30% of Americans. Furthermore, over 48% of Americans indicate they believe their overall level of stress has risen.
Worldwide, 91% of Australians agree their daily lives include stressful events. Similarly, more than half (approximately 60%) of Japan’s population state they experience high to moderate stress levels daily. In the case of France, the figure is 40%.
Around 120,000 people die due to work-related stress per year. This means there are about 10,000 deaths caused by stress at work annually. Aside from that, chronic stress is associated with the six major causes of death: cancer, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, lung illnesses, accidents, and suicide.
Whenever negative stress kicks in, productivity drops. Regardless of whether you’re looking at high school stress statistics or college students‘ stress statistics, individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 demonstrate this most clearly.
On average, young adults struggle with stress for more than 12 days every month. Additionally, 69% also worry about the impact of stress on their health.
At the same time, stress causes approximately one million workers in the US to miss work every day due to stress. Stress in the workplace statistics suggest that this drop in productivity results in around $300 billion in losses every year.
Stress can have any number of side effects, though most will manifest as physical or psychological.
The physical effects of stress, for example, may include grinding teeth, clenching of the jaw, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, sweaty or cold hands and feet, ringing in the ears, shaking, nervousness, loss of sexual desire/ability, frequent infections and colds, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, tense muscles, pains, aches, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, headaches, and low energy.
On the other hand, examples of psychological symptoms of stress may include only seeing the negative side of things, being pessimistic, poor judgment, inability to focus, disorganization, forgetfulness, racing thoughts, constant worrying, as well as avoiding others, low self-esteem, depression, feeling worthless, lonely, inability to relax, feeling overwhelmed and becoming moody.
Gen-Z adults whose ages range from 18 to 23 have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, making them the most stressed age group in 2020. As such, this generation is highly likely to experience symptoms of depression.
Stress statistics show that the common symptoms of depression were observed in more than 7 out of 10 Gen-Z adults.
- APA
- APA
- Best Money Moves
- Clarity Clinic
- Compare Camp
- Everyday Health
- Fact Retriever
- Forth With Life
- Frontiers in Psychology
- HABRI
- Tiny Pulse
- Mental Health
- Mental Health
- Radio Canada International
- Sharpen
- Sixty and Me
- Statista
- Stress
- Recovery Village
- The Recovery Village
- Very Well Mind
- Very Well Mind
- Washington State Department of Health