UK Cities Ranked by Burnout and Stress Levels

In today's fast-paced world, stress and burnout have become increasingly common, affecting the well-being of people across the country. According to a 2023 report by Champion Health, 76% of employees in the UK report moderate to high or high levels of stress at work.

To shed light on which cities are feeling the most pressure, BlueTrolley analysed search volumes for 282 keywords related to burnout and stress at work, revealing which areas are most affected based on searches per 100,000 residents.

The Most Stressed Cities

Newcastle upon Tyne tops the list as the most stressed city in the UK, with 362.52 searches per 100,000 people. This suggests that residents are actively seeking ways to manage or understand their stress levels, reflecting a high demand for mental health support and resources.

Wrexham follows closely with 355.83 searches per 100,000 people. Despite its smaller population, the city shows a significant amount of concern regarding burnout, indicating that stress is a major issue for its residents.

Other cities showing high levels of stress include Bristol, Plymouth, and Norwich, with search rates around 290-297 per 100,000 residents. These cities are likely grappling with various factors contributing to stress, from work-related pressures to personal life challenges.

The Least Stressed Cities

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Gateshead and Rotherham report the lowest number of stress-related searches, with just 27.67 and 27.58 searches per 100,000 people, respectively. These cities might have access to better coping mechanisms or a lifestyle that mitigates stress more effectively.

Similarly, Bradford and Derby also rank low, with fewer than 54 searches per 100,000 people. The lower search volumes suggest that residents in these areas may experience less stress or possibly have other avenues for managing it.

Key Insights and Implications

The data highlights a significant variation in how stress and burnout are perceived and addressed across UK cities. Larger cities like London and Birmingham, despite their size, show relatively lower stress-related search volumes when adjusted for population, possibly indicating more widespread access to mental health resources or different work-life dynamics.

On the other hand, smaller cities like Wrexham and Plymouth show disproportionately high search volumes, pointing to a potential need for greater mental health support and intervention in the workplace.

Methodology

To determine which UK cities are most and least stressed, we analysed search volumes from Google Keyword Planner for 282 keywords related to stress and burnout at work across a range of UK cities. These volumes were then adjusted based on each city's population to calculate the number of searches per 100,000 residents, providing a clear picture of where stress levels are highest and lowest.

Sources

Google Keyword Planner

https://championhealth.co.uk/insights/stress-statistics/