Many African nations rank among the most stressed countries in the world. Burundi tops the list as the most stressed country, followed by South Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Malawi.
- Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 most stressed countries in Africa in 2025.
- The list is courtesy of CEOWORLD magazine.
- Burundi tops the list as the most stressed country, followed by South Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Malawi.
Stress is something we all deal with, but the reasons behind it can vary wildly depending on where you live.
In developing countries, people often face stress due to armed conflicts, economic struggles, and political instability. In contrast, wealthier countries tend to experience stress related to work pressure, financial burdens, and maintaining a high standard of living.
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CEOWORLD magazine’s 2025 Global Emotions Report sheds light on this issue by ranking the most and least stressed countries worldwide.
Based on surveys conducted between December 2, 2024, and January 12, 2025, the report analyzed stress levels in 197 countries and territories. Over a third of respondents reported feeling “a lot of stress” the day before they were surveyed.
The study examined four key stress factors: work, money, social and family life, and health and safety.
According to the study, Monaco is the least stressed country in the world, scoring an impressive 83.83. The small European nation, known for its luxurious lifestyle, financial prosperity, and high standard of living, enjoys a stable economy and excellent healthcare system.
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Following Monaco, the least stressed nations include Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Ireland.
On the other hand, many African nations rank among the most stressed. Burundi tops the list as the most stressed country, followed by South Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Malawi.
These countries face significant challenges such as conflict, poverty, and lack of access to basic resources, contributing to heightened stress levels.
Below are the top 10 most stressed countries in Africa in 2025:
| Rank | Country | Total | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burundi | 26.31 | 197th |
| 2 | South Sudan | 26.78 | 196th |
| 3 | Malawi | 28.28 | 193rd |
| 4 | Central African Republic | 29.19 | 191st |
| 5 | Madagascar | 29.35 | 190th |
| 6 | Sudan | 29.94 | 188th |
| 7 | Eritrea | 30.17 | 187th |
| 8 | Mozambique | 30.42 | 186th |
| 9 | Niger | 30.72 | 185th |
| 10 | Democratic Republic of the Congo [DR Congo] | 30.99 | 184th |
