Prioritising people and their well-being
Why Study Stress Globally?
Stress is linked to disease, chronic illness, poor mental health and mortality. Leaders often focus on improving a country’s economy, assuming that will indirectly solve problems of stress. But research shows us that is not the case.
Last year, Gallup asked 173,000 residents across 144 countries if they experienced stress “during a lot of the day yesterday.” Thirty-six percent of Australians said “yes” — the same percentage as Cameroon, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Fifty percent of people in the United States reported they experienced stress yesterday — the same percentage as Iraq.
Stress is a growing and pervasive problem in countries, regardless of income. Last year, Switzerland (37%), New Zealand (37%), South Korea (37%), and Japan (38%) all reported higher stress levels than the global average (35%). In fact, Switzerland’s reported stress level jumped from 28% in 2018 to 37% in 2019 – one of the largest increases of any country in the world.
But is stress experienced the same way across countries? In rich countries people may be stressed because they do not have enough time. In developing countries, people may be stressed because they do not have access to necessities.
How similar is stress within countries? In New Zealand, 40% of women reported experiencing stress, but only 30% of men did.
There are many unanswered questions about stress. The World Stress Index seeks to provide research on stress at the global level so it can be better understood for all people in all countries.
Why Study Stress Globally?
Stress is linked to disease, chronic illness, poor mental health and mortality. Leaders often focus on improving a country’s economy, assuming that will indirectly solve problems of stress. But research shows us that is not the case.
Last year, Gallup asked 173,000 residents across 144 countries if they experienced stress “during a lot of the day yesterday.” Thirty-six percent of Australians said “yes” — the same percentage as Cameroon, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Fifty percent of people in the United States reported they experienced stress yesterday — the same percentage as Iraq.
Stress is a growing and pervasive problem in countries, regardless of income. Last year, Switzerland (37%), New Zealand (37%), South Korea (37%), and Japan (38%) all reported higher stress levels than the global average (35%). In fact, Switzerland’s reported stress level jumped from 28% in 2018 to 37% in 2019 – one of the largest increases of any country in the world.
But is stress experienced the same way across countries? In rich countries people may be stressed because they do not have enough time. In developing countries, people may be stressed because they do not have access to necessities.
How similar is stress within countries? In New Zealand, 40% of women reported experiencing stress, but only 30% of men did.
There are many unanswered questions about stress. The World Stress Index seeks to provide research on stress at the global level so it can be better understood for all people in all countries.
World Stress Index
The World Stress Index will become a landmark survey, representing 95% of the world’s adult population. It will be designed by subject matter experts and administered up to 150 languages, by thousands of specially trained interviewers. The World Stress Index will then analyse the data and publish a report with Gallup.
Our vision for the World Stress Index is to provide global insights about stress for policymakers, organisations and individuals to embrace and promote wellness to contribute positively to improve the well-being of the world.
We are excited to begin this journey with our partners and sponsors.
World Stress Index
The World Stress Index (WSI) will become a landmark survey, representing 95% of the world’s adult population. It will be designed by subject matter experts and administered up to 150 languages, by thousands of specially trained interviewers. The World Stress Index will then publish a report and provide a information and insights to inform organisations and empower individuals to promote mental and physical wellness.
Our vision is that in a few years, the more questions we ask people from more countries in the world will only increase the insights for policymakers, organisations and individuals to enable positive and holistic decisions to contribute to the wellbeing of the world.
We are excited to begin this journey with our partners and sponsors.
