Birmingham has been named the most depressed city in the UK, according to new research.
The research, from the offices provided by the offices provided by Fast, which measures things such as salary levels, gender pay gaps, and online searches “shows that residents of the West Midlands endure the highest levels of stress in the country.
Birmingham’s position at the top of that list comes from its very high volume of stress-related searches, significant gender pay gap, and low minimum wages. Nearby Coventry was placed second in the study, helping to place the West Midlands as the region under the largest category. Many residents report cutbacks in social activities and exercise due to work-related stressors.
The data shows that in 2024, the average UK worker took 21.1 days off work due to stress, depression, or anxiety – resulting in 16.4 lost working days. Among the most common computerized causes were high workload (including unpaid work), cost-of-living pressures, insecurity at work, and bullying at work. One in four adults in the UK admit to feeling stressed most of the time, and one in nine experience stress on a daily basis.
Women in the UK feel stressed, on average, 11.7 days a month – significantly higher than the 8.7 days reported by men. The study also highlights that cities with high gender gaps, such as Derby, Coventry, and Luton, show high levels of stress among female workers.
With work stress, burnout, and mental health concerns on the rise, experts have urged employers and policymakers to address systemic issues such as financial stress and financial stress. They also advised people to seek a healthy balance – health of life, maintain self-care as a way to reduce daily stress.
