People in Austria Report Higher Stress Levels in 2024

People in Austria Report Higher Stress Levels in 2024

Image: The International/Alion Çaçi

People in Austria reported experiencing “high stress” for an average of 55.3 days in 2024, according to a new survey by the Marketagent research institute.

Respondents also reported crying 20.3 times and having arguments 17.8 times. These figures mark a significant increase in stress levels compared to previous years, with more tears and disagreements this year than in 2020 and 2017. Stress levels in 2024 were notably higher than in 2020, when the average was 42.6 days.

Generational Differences

The survey shows that younger generations, particularly Generation Z (born between 1994 and 2010) and Millennials (born between 1980 and 1993), experienced much higher levels of stress. Generation Z reported an average of 68.5 days of stress, while Millennials experienced 72.1 days. In comparison, Generation X (born between 1965 and 1979) reported 54 days of stress, and Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) reported just 26.6 days.

Stress Levels On the Rise Since 2020

The survey also found that stress levels in Austria have risen significantly since 2020. While the first year of the Covid pandemic brought some relief and a slower pace of life, stress has continued to climb in subsequent years. When compared to 2017, when the average was 51.8 days, the rise in stress is especially concerning.

Andrea Berger, who led the study, explained that the findings reflect a growing emotional intensity in Austria. “The combination of global crises and personal pressures seems to be testing people’s emotional resilience,” she said. “However, this could also point to a growing awareness of personal emotions and relationships.”

More Exercise, Less Alcohol

On a more positive note, the survey highlighted an increase in exercise, with people in Austria visiting the gym an average of 14.6 times this year. Younger generations attended gyms more frequently, while older generations preferred outdoor activities. Austrians went hiking an average of 12.4 times, with Baby Boomers averaging 20.4 hikes.

However, skiing and snowboarding have seen a decline, with people in Austria spending only 1.8 days on the slopes this year, down from 2.1 days in 2017.

The survey also found that people in Austria took more sick days this year, averaging 8.8 days off work, compared to 7.6 days in 2020. People visited doctors more often, with an average of 6.6 visits, and took painkillers 10.1 times. Colds were also more frequent, with respondents reporting an average of 3.8 instances. Meanwhile, alcohol consumption has decreased, with people in Austria getting drunk an average of 5.7 times this year, almost three times less than in 2020.

Shifting Cultural Habits

The way people in Austria engage with culture has also changed. In 2017, people visited the cinema an average of 3.6 times per year, but this dropped to just 2.2 times in 2024. Thomas Schwabl of Marketagent noted that this reflects a broader shift in cultural consumption. “Culture is still popular, but the way people enjoy it is changing,” he said.

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