A pervasive sense of stress is gripping Germany, according to a new report released Wednesday by the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), a major health insurance provider. The “Stress Report 2025” compiled from a nationwide survey, reveals that nearly two-thirds of the German population frequently or occasionally experience significant stress, a figure that has steadily risen since 2013.
Only 8% of those surveyed reported feeling no stress at all, while 26% indicated experiencing it rarely. Jens Baas, CEO of TK, acknowledged that “stress to a certain degree belongs to life” but cautioned that “chronic stress increases the risk for certain psychological and physical illnesses, such as cardiovascular problems, back pain, or depression.
The survey highlighted a clear correlation between stress and reported health complaints such as muscle tension, exhaustion and sleep disturbances. While self-imposed pressure emerged as the dominant stressor, cited by 61% of respondents, the report points to a concerning trend: a significant proportion of stress is attributable to broader societal and political anxieties. School, education and professional demands each accounted for 58% of respondents as significant stressors, but critically, 53% specifically attributed their stress to political and societal factors.
Drilling down further, the report paints a picture of deeply rooted anxieties. A staggering 62% of stressed individuals reported feeling “strongly” or “very strongly” burdened by the current geopolitical climate. Fears of political polarization (59%) and threats to internal security stemming from crime, terrorism and extremism (52%) are also prominent drivers of this widespread distress. Financial insecurity (47%) and the looming impact of climate change (44%) further compound the sense of unease.
“The world feels to be in a perpetual crisis mode” observed Baas. He emphasized that the constant barrage of negative headlines from media outlets, coupled with already substantial pressures of daily life and work, fuels a feeling of existential threat for many Germans.
The findings raise crucial questions about the government’s response and the long-term social and political implications of this escalating anxiety. While personal coping mechanisms are vital, the report implicitly calls for policymakers to address the root causes of these anxieties-geopolitical instability, declining economic security for many and the increasingly visible impacts of climate change-rather than solely relying on individual resilience. The data suggests that simply acknowledging the problem is insufficient; a proactive, systemic approach is needed to foster a sense of stability and future-orientation amongst the German populace.
The data was gathered by the polling institute Forsa through telephone interviews with 1,407 people aged 18 and over conducted in May 2025.
