Global Anxiety and Stress Rates See Notable Rise Over the Past Decade

An international study titled ‘2025 State of Emotional Health Worldwide’ reveals a significant uptick in global anxiety, stress, and anger rates over the past ten years. According to the report, about 39% of adults surveyed said they experienced high levels of anxiety the previous day, while 37% reported feeling stressed. The research was led by the Gallup Institute and took place across 144 countries and regions, focusing on individuals aged 15 and older.

The findings point to a slight decline in anxiety rates in 2024, with numbers nearing pre-pandemic levels. However, anxiety remains five percentage points higher than in 2014. The report also shows that people living in areas of conflict experience notably higher levels of anxiety and stress compared to those in more peaceful regions. Additionally, the global rate of physical pain has risen by 2% over the past year, reaching 32%, while sadness (26%) and anger (22%) have remained relatively stable. Overall, negative emotions are much more prevalent now than a decade ago, with women worldwide reporting greater experiences of sadness, anxiety, and physical pain than men.

These insights will be presented at the World Health Forum in Berlin, an event that brings together thousands of politicians, economists, business leaders, and public sector representatives to discuss solutions for global well-being. The report’s authors emphasize that, despite the widely recognized growth in global unrest over the past decade, many leaders still prioritize economic indicators over emotional health. Experts warn that heightened negative emotions can reduce individuals’ focus and resilience, leaving communities more vulnerable to instability.