Stress Observatory
Stress on the rise: the Ramsay Sante Foundation unveils the results of its Stress Observatory 2025
The Ramsay Sante Foundation has published the results of the latest edition of its Observatoire du Stress, conducted eight years after the first study. The survey, carried out by OpinionWay in France, Sweden and Italy, highlights a significant increase in stress among the French population.
Stress on the rise in France
The study reveals that 59% of French people say they will be stressed in 2025, compared to 51% in 2017. Among them, 43% feel that their stress level has increased over the past three years, a trend particularly marked among women (50%) and young people under 35 (53%). The main sources of stress identified were personal life (41%), financial problems (34%) and work (34%). The latter, once the leading cause of stress in 2017, has now been supplanted by concerns linked to the private sphere and the financial situation.
Widely recognized health consequences
The impact of stress on health is widely recognized: 94% of French people believe it can have long-term consequences, notably on mental health (59%), cardiovascular pathologies (41%) and dermatological problems (34%). In the short term, sleep disturbance is the most frequently cited effect (59%), followed by nervousness (44%) and repercussions on family life (39%).
How do the French manage stress?
Sport is favored by 45% of those surveyed as the main stress management tool, followed by dialogue with friends and family (29%) and relaxation activities such as yoga or meditation (25%). It's worth noting that the use of a psychologist for stress management is on the rise: 12% of French people have recourse to one, compared with 8% in 2017.
Focus on stress in young people
At the 8th edition of the Health Prevention Meetings, organized by the Ramsay Sante Foundation and sponsored by the French Ministry of Health and Access to Care, particular emphasis was placed on stress among young people. The survey reveals that 68% of 18-24 year-olds say they are stressed, and 52% report an increase in stress over the past three years. The main causes of stress in this age group are studies (59%), financial difficulties (38%) and professional life (38%).
Tools for action
In light of these findings, the Ramsay Sante Foundation is pursuing its commitment to stress prevention. The study highlights the growing interest in self-assessment tools: 54% of French people would be interested in a stress measurement scale, and 39% say they would adapt their behavior according to the results obtained.
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Focus on stress in young people (18-24)
On April 1, 2025, the Ramsay Sante Foundation organized the 8th Health Prevention Meetings, under the patronage of the French Ministry of Health and Access to Care. This year's event was devoted to stress in young people.
On this occasion, the Ramsay Sante Foundation unveiled the results of its Stress Observatory, revealing worrying figures on the state of stress among 18-24 year-olds.
Key findings include:
68% of 18-24 year-olds say they are stressed, including 20% who are very stressed (+9 points compared to the national average).
52% have noticed an increase in stress over the past three years (versus 43% for the French as a whole).
The main causes of stress for young people are studies (59%), financial difficulties (38%) and working life (38%).
95% of 18-24 year-olds believe that stress has an impact on their health, particularly on :
- Sleep problems (54%)
- Behavioral repercussions in terms of nervousness, irritability, etc. (33%)
- Eating disorders (29%), 13 points higher than the national average
- Concentration problems (29%), 9 points higher than the national average
When asked to list the pathologies associated with long-term stress, young people cite :
- Mental health problems (62%)
- Metabolic diseases and overweight (41%)
- Skin problems (40%)
- Digestive disorders (38%)
To combat stress, 18-24 year-olds take the following actions:
- Sport (40%)
- Discussions with family and friends at 35% (+6 points compared with the French as a whole)
- Relaxation, yoga and meditation (22%)
- Psychologists at 16% (+4 points compared with the French as a whole)
- Doctors at 13% (-7 points compared with the French as a whole)
When it comes to stress relief, young people prefer :
- Social networks: 34% (+23 points compared with the French as a whole)
- Family and friends (22%)
- A healthcare professional (8%)
Finally, 68% of 18-24 year-olds would be prepared to use a stress scale (compared with 54% of French people overall), and 45% say they would adjust their behavior according to the results obtained.