Overview
- The Robert Koch‑Institut’s analysis of its 2024 'Gesundheit in Deutschland' panel found about 20 percent of adults report elevated perceived stress based on responses from more than 27,000 participants.
- Stress is unevenly distributed with higher rates among women, people aged 18–64 and those with low or medium formal education.
- Coping styles mattered: avoidant strategies such as repression and wishful thinking were associated with higher stress while active problem‑solving and flexibility in coping were linked to lower stress.
- The RKI warns that chronic perceived stress raises risks for physical and mental illness and recommends prevention through promotion of suitable, target‑group specific coping strategies.
- The report notes stress has increased since the RKI’s 2014 panel and matches other studies that show rising stress levels in Germany, which could shape public‑health planning and workplace or social support measures.