Study finds Ireland is one of the most 'stressful countries' in Europe

A study measuring stress levels across the continent has found that Ireland ranks as the sixth-most stressful country in Europe.

The study, carried out by CBD experts CBDolie examined European countries on a range of stress-related categories to discover the continent’s most stressed countries. Results showed that Ireland follows closely behind Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Malta and Cyprus.

The study factored the estimated depression and anxiety prevalence in each country, as well as stress levels, sadness levels, enjoyment levels, and the average weekly hours worked.

Each factor was then included in an index to create an overall stress score out of 100. Ireland ranked in the top ten in the study with a total stress score of 49.2 out of 100.

Ireland ranks below the average EU weekly working hours, but in 2019 recorded the third-highest levels of anxiety, with 7 percent of the population suffering from anxiety according to Eurostat reports. This figure is estimated to have risen drastically since then.

Greece ranked as the most stressful country in Europe with a stress score of 71.8 out of 100. The country scored high for both reports of stress and depression prevalence.

Greece has a depression prevalence of over 6 percent, the highest rate in Europe as well as 57 percent of respondents reporting frequent stress, the second highest rate of all European countries.

In contrast, Denmark ranks as the least stressed country in Europe with a Stress Score of 21.7 out of 100. Only 12 percent of Danish respondents claimed to often feel little enjoyment and pleasure, the second lowest behind Iceland. The country also recorded low feelings of frequent stress and less than 6 percent of respondents reported feeling anxious frequently.

Commenting on the study, a spokesperson for CBDolie said that the past five years have "provided a constant source of uncertainty" for people across Europe due to international crises including the cost-of-living and the coronavirus pandemic.

"It’s no surprise to see that stress levels across Europe are so high," the spokesperson said. “This list highlights that all around the continent people live in varying situations regarding their lifestyles, yet clearly some countries are more likely to result in their residents having sleepless nights due to stress."

For help with anxiety or depression, Aware Ireland can be found online here or by phone at 1800 80 48 48.